Posted Sep 28, 2022, 11:00 AMUpdated on Sep 28, 2022 at 7:25 PM
In a campaign at loggerheads for the election on Sunday October 2 (and possibly October 30, 2022 in the event of a second round), the programs of the two favorites remain unclear on certain aspects. On the other hand, Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stand out clearly on issues such as purchasing power, the environment or safety.
“This campaign is historic on many levels. First of all, the future of democracy in Brazil is at stake,” explains Gaspard Estrada, political scientist at Sciences Po. “It is also the first time that a candidate in office is seeking re-election against a former president. Finally, Lula shows up at meetings decked out in a bulletproof vest and accompanied by snipers: this is unheard of. »
According to a survey by the Datafolha institute published Thursday, September 22, the left-wing ex-president “Lula” has increased his lead over the current head of state. Jair Bolsonaro (extreme right), from 12 to 14 points, and boosts his chances of winning in the first round. Here are their main campaign promises.
1. On purchasing power
In this country of 213 million inhabitants with monster inequalities, more than 33 million people suffer from hunger and 9.9 million are unemployed. To improve the purchasing power of the poorest, Bolsonaro relies on the allocations of the “Auxilio Brasil”, a new version of the “Bolsa Familia”, a flagship social program of the Lula years (2003-2010). The amount of this allowance has increased from 400 reais (around 80 euros) to 600 reais this year.
In its official program, it gives pride of place to job creation, especially for young people and women. The far-right president also promises to increase the share of the population exempt from income tax, improve the infrastructure of less developed areas and implement more privatizations.
Former steelworker Lula, who left power with stratospheric approval ratings before falling from grace in prison for corruption, pledges to launch a new “Bolsa Familia”: in addition to 600 reais of In the “Auxilio Brasil”, families would receive 150 reais for each child under six. To improve purchasing power, he is betting in particular on an increase in the minimum monthly wage (currently at 1,212 reais, 240 euros) “above inflation”, without specifying the amount.
It also undertakes to set up a program to help the 70% of Brazilian families in debt to reschedule their repayments. Lula also intends to “strengthen social protection” by returning to the reform of the Labor Code adopted in 2017.
2. On the environment and the Amazon
“It is Lula who deals the most with the environmental issue, but in this context of food insecurity, it is not the argument that is favored by voters – the middle and upper classes feel more concerned”, believes Gaspard Platform. Lula pledges to implement a zero-tolerance policy against illegal gold panning, deforestation and fires in the largest rainforest on the planet. In particular, he intends to rely on public bodies for the preservation of the environment such as Ibama, affected by major budget cuts under Bolsonaro.
Much criticized by the international community for his environmental policy, Bolsonaro for his part undertakes to continue military operations supposed to fight against deforestation and forest fires in the Amazon, which have increased sharply under his mandate. Its program evokes “measures to reduce greenhouse gases”, and recognizes that the fight against climate change is “inexorable” to preserve the future of the planet. Statements greeted with skepticism by experts: the head of state is openly in favor of the expansion of mining activities in the Amazon, including in protected areas such as indigenous reserves.
3. On the fate of minorities
Lula promises to defend “the rights and territories of indigenous peoples”. He also undertook to create a “Ministry of Indigenous Peoples” and to appoint an indigenous person to head it. His program also includes social and security measures to defend the LGBT+ community in a country heavily affected by homophobic violence, as well as an increase in racial and social quotas in universities.
Bolsonaro, on the other hand, does not mention the LGBT + community in his program and defends a “responsible use” of natural resources, by “reconciling environmental preservation and sustainable growth”, including in indigenous reserves.
4. On the diplomatic front
Lula promises to “restore” Brazil’s international aura, strengthening “South-South” cooperation with Latin America and Africa, as well as ties with the BRICS and other Mercosur countries. He also undertakes to travel to “re-establish links with all European countries […]China and the United States.
Bolsonaro, he is betting on new “bilateral and multilateral” agreements and on Brazil’s entry into the OECD.
5. On the issue of security
Lula promises a “new drug policy”, to put an end to the strategy of perpetual “war” against gangs. He wants to prioritize in-depth investigations and targeted actions to dismantle organized crime.
Bolsonaro pledges to increase the military and police budget, while further easing access to firearms. “Insecurity, but also the management of the Covid: its balance sheet is strongly contested, and this will be felt at the ballot box”, concludes Gaspard Estrada.
With AFP
