By Alejandro Meléndez and Irene Galindo. United Journalists / Global Exchange / Peninsula 360 Press
São Paulo, Brazil. September 30, 2022.- In an exhausting debate that lasted more than three hours on the Brazilian television network O Globo, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the favorite for Sunday's presidential elections in Brazil, became the main target of attacks from his rivals on Thursday.
Lula was attacked primarily by President Jair Bolsonaro, who, together with the folkloric candidate “Father Kelmon,” as the priest Kelmon Luis da Silva, candidate of the Brazilian Workers' Party (PTB), identified himself, questioned Lula about the alleged corruption in his government and his opposition to religion.
The PTB candidate attended the debate dressed in religious attire and, as a member of the Peruvian Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church, is recognized in Brazil as an orange candidate, which are those candidates who have minimal electoral representation, but who dedicate themselves to attacking the leading candidate.
Former President Lula closed the debate by saying that he is proud of the educational programs created during the Workers' Party governments, such as FIES, Prouni and Science Without Borders, "which sent 100,000 young people to study abroad."
Lula said he will return to the Presidency of the Republic because the people know of his ability to govern.
"There are three or four different types of proposals here. There are those who have a proven track record in this country and it has worked for them, people know what happened in that country. There are those who make promises, there are those who govern. The people can elect someone who knew how to resolve the situation in Brazil," stressed Lula da Silva.
"I always say that the problem is not governing, it is taking care of people, creating jobs, increasing salaries, increasing the wage bill, improving health, improving education, creating universities," he said, promising to break the 100-year secrecy pact imposed by Bolsonaro to hide the crimes of the current administration.
The last televised debate before the elections also included the participation of candidates Ciro Gomes of the Democratic Labour Party, Simone Tebet of the Brazilian Democratic Movement, Soraya Thronicke of Union Brasil, and Luiz Felipe de Ávila of the New Party.
This note was made with the support of the organization Global Exchange in collaboration with TV Windbreaker, Journalists United and Peninsula 360 Press.
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