Brazil will have to choose between “good and evil” in the next presidential election in October, far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told thousands of supporters on Sunday.
“Our enemy is not outside, he is inside. It’s not a fight between right and left, it’s a fight between good and evil and we’re going to win,” Bolsonaro told supporters who often wore a “Bolsonaro 2022” t-shirt. even if the campaign is not due to begin until August 16.
Former President Lula remains well ahead of the voting intentions, even if Jair Bolsonaro has recently closed the gap.
“Just because a false poll is published a thousand times does not mean that someone will be elected president,” added Mr. Bolsonaro to applause.
According to the latest poll by the Datafolha institute published on Thursday, 43% of Brazilians would vote for Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first round, against 26% for Mr. Bolsonaro.
For Datafolha, the other presidential candidates remain below the 10% threshold, and the option of a “third way” remains improbable for the moment.
Former anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro, former justice minister in the Bolsonaro government, comes third (8%), followed by Ciro Gomes (center left, 6%) and the center-right governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria (2% ).
The popularity of the far-right president had fallen sharply at the end of last year, with only 22% of favorable opinions.
He is widely criticized for his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 650,000 lives in Brazil.
The economic situation is also bad, with galloping inflation which weighs on the purchasing power of the poorest.