Posted Sep 30, 2022, 12:00 PMUpdated on Sep 30, 2022 at 3:28 PM
Far-West scene in Foz do Iguaçu, the city in southern Brazil that is home to the famous falls of the same name. On this day, a left-wing activist chooses to celebrate his birthday on the theme of the Workers’ Party (PT), of which he is local treasurer, and his favorite candidate, Lula. Suddenly, a man bursts into the hall and opens fire. The victim reacts and draws his own weapon, before dying. The assailant will in turn be seriously injured.
The assassination of Marcelo Arruda is symptomatic of the climate of intolerance and violence that has gripped Brazil. At least two other political murders were committed during an extremely tense campaign. A tension fueled, essentially, by the Bolsonarist camp.
Bolsonaro stirs
Distanced by more than 10 points in the polls, Jair Bolsonaro adopted a tough speech, questioning the legitimacy of the ballot. “If we don’t win in the first round, something is wrong with electoral justice”he said.
All shots are allowed. In a fake video, the star presenter of the 8 p.m. newspaper even announces on social networks that the president has taken the lead in the polls. “Bolsonaro will pass in the first round. Otherwise, we will take to the streets to protest. We’re going to occupy Congress and the Supreme Court! » proclaims a message broadcast by SMS. “If we have to fight against this gang of thieves, we will fight! » say the president’s supporters.
In fact, several observers are worried about the will of this minority to fight it out whatever the cost. “ The possibility of disrupting the smooth running of the electoral process is real due to the questioning of the transparency of electoral justice and the threats of not respecting the results of the elections. explains Claudio Couto, from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV). This political scientist fears “increased violence and chaos” after “Bolsonaro’s probable electoral defeat” in order to prevent the investiture of Lula.
Lula “peace and love”
This one is much more serene. Especially since declarations of support are coming from all sides, coming from former presidential candidates like the ecologist Marina Silva and the banker Henrique Meirelles and from former presidents of the Supreme Court like Joaquim Barbosa, who nevertheless had denounced a corruption scandal in his entourage in the 2000s. More than a hundred big bosses also went to meet him this week in São Paulo.
Old veteran of politics, Lula feels that victory is at hand. And that it may only take one last push to win in the first round: “Until Sunday, you have to knock on the door of every house, every church, every factory , to ask to vote ‘Lulinha paz e amor'” (literally “little Lula peace and love”), he said, taking up the victorious slogan of 2002. Twenty years later, the leader of the left will perhaps be opening a new chapter in Brazilian political life.
