‘Withdraw your candidacy’ - Lula targets Flavio Bolsonaro at Belem rally
Key Takeaways
- Lula called on Flavio Bolsonaro to withdraw his candidacy days before Brazil's October 4 election.
- The president urged supporters to remain mobilised during a major campaign rally in Belem.
- Lula also called for respect from the US amid diplomatic tensions over sovereignty and non-interference.
The Brazilian president urged supporters to stay mobilised ahead of the October 4 election while calling for respect in relations with the United States.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called on his main opponent, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, to withdraw from the presidential race as campaigning enters its final days.
Lula made the remarks on Monday during a campaign rally at Republic Square in central Belem, where supporters of his Workers' Party (PT) gathered alongside allied political leaders.
"Please tell our opponent to withdraw his candidacy. And back us because they have no chance," the president said.
The rally came just days before Brazil's October 4 election, with Lula urging his supporters to remain mobilised ahead of the first round of voting.
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Lula also used the event to address diplomatic tensions with the United States. He called for relations based on respect for Brazil's sovereignty and non-interference in its internal affairs amid differences over possible foreign intervention in the election and bilateral cooperation against organised crime.
"I do not want war with the US. I want respect. I want respect. So, comrades, be prepared and do not look beyond this," Lula added.
Supporters at the rally also explained their reasons for backing the president.
"I support President Lula for his record of commitment to education and his fight against fraud. In my humble opinion, President Lula is one of the most important people ever to have set foot in Brazil," said Diego Aguiar, a systems analyst.
Aguiar also backed the continuation of Lula's political project, saying he believed its impact was being felt by the public.
"People trust that President Lula's project is improving their lives because they have faith; because they are living it," he added.
Before the rally, Lula visited the hospital complex of the Benemerita Sociedade Portuguesa Beneficente do Para alongside Health Minister Alexandre Padilha.
He toured the new facilities of Hospital Sao Joao de Deus, which is part of the complex and provides care to patients under Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS).
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This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
