Back in Brasilia, Lula lays foundations of anti-Bolsonaro coalition
May 7, 2021
8:12 PM CDT
Lisandra Paraguassu
3 minute read
Brazil’s leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is back in the political mix, laying the groundwork in Brasilia this week to challenge far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in next year’s election.
The popular former union leader has not said whether he will run for president in October 2022, but opinion polls show he may have a strong shot at defeating Bolsonaro after the Supreme Court threw out his graft convictions.
With his political rights restored, Lula spent this week in the capital Brasilia meeting allies and former foes in the first steps towards building a coalition against Bolsonaro, whose unorthodox presidency has been criticized at home and abroad for mishandling the coronavirus pandemic and weakening environmental protection of the Amazon rainforest.
Aides and interlocutors said Lula is looking first to forge state-level alliances, starting with the governor's race in Rio de Janeiro, which is Bolsonaro's political base and the cradle of the former army captain's right-wing movement.
More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/back-brasilia-lula-lays-foundations-anti-bolsonaro-coalition-2021-05-07/
