October 13, 2022
Salvador Bahia
Late Wednesday afternoon presidential candidate Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) returned to Salvador for another campaign program. The former president chose the state of Bahia to start a series of activities in the Northeast part of Brazil, a region where he won in all the states in the first round. In Bahia, the Lula won 69.7% of the votes, while Bolsonaro gained 24.3%. Of Bahia’s 417 municipalities, Lula won in 415.
After a press conference at the Vila Velha Theater, Lula attended a rally of thousands on the seafront in Salvador, the state capital, accompanied by the gubernatorial candidate, Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), who is contesting the second round against ACM Neto (União Brasil). The former president highlighted Jerônimo’s important vote in the first round, contrary to the majority of polls, which pointed to the victory of the former mayor of Salvador.
“What Rui, Wagner, Otto and the whole team did by taking an unknown candidate until three months ago and bringing him to have 49.45% of the votes is a miracle of competence”, he highlighted.
Accompanied also by the current governor, Rui Costa (PT) and the elected senator Otto Alencar (PSD), Lula gathered thousands of people in a walk that left the Ondina neighborhood and ended at Farol da Barra, as night fell. In his speech, the candidate recalled Children’s Day and the need to combat hunger in the country.
“I have to tell you that today is Children’s Day. And I wonder how many children in this country got up in the morning without having breakfast. I wonder how many children did not have a meal with the necessary proteins and calories for lunch? How many children are going to sleep on Children’s Day without the necessary food to eat?” he asked.
Lula also recalled the gains made in his government turned towards the working class, and made criticisms to the current administration.
“This country cannot go on as it is. We have already proved that it is possible to increase salaries without increasing inflation. We have already proved that it is possible for boys and girls from the periphery to go to university,” he says.
In the next few days, Lula will visit Sergipe, Alagoas and Pernambuco, states where there will also be a run-off election for state governments.
With just over 2 weeks remaining until the 2nd round of elections on October 30, polls have Lula leading by 5%.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – Buenos Aires