SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil (Reuters) – Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has attacked the government of President Jair Bolsonaro for mishandling the pandemic and the economy in a speech on Wednesday, which marked a return to political status after his convictions have been canceled.
Lula, whose corruption convictions were overturned on Monday by a Supreme Court judge, allowing him to run again for political office, said he had not decided whether to run in next year’s presidential election, but his appearance had the impression of a campaign event.
“Health, jobs and justice for Brazil” read a banner hanging above the stage at the metallurgical union in Sao Bernardo do Campo, where Lula’s political career began as an organizer in the 1980s.
“This country is disorganized and is falling apart because it has no government,” he told the audience.
Lula directly attacked Bolsonaro for his evidence in treating the coronavirus pandemic and the economy. “People do not need weapons. People need jobs, “he said, raising Bolsonaro’s gun policy.
The surprise restoration of Lula’s political rights could create a confrontation between the left, which ruled Brazil from 2003 to 2011, against Bolsonaro in next year’s elections.
A poll conducted by the Real Time Big Data poll, published on Wednesday by CNN Brasil, showed Lula and Bolsonaro with the necessary support to reach a vote in the second round.
Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto; Written by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alistair Bell