Brazil’s Liberal Party formally nominates Bolsonaro for reelection

Rio de Janeiro, Jul 24 (EFE).- Brazil’s Liberal Party (PL) on Sunday officially nominated far rightist President Jair Bolsonaro for reelection in the Oct. 2 vote, in which former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a leftist, is favored to win.

The ultrarightist leader, who has repeatedly indicated his nostalgia for the military dictatorship that governed Brazil from 1964-1985, accepted the nomination during the PL convention attended by some 10,000 supporters and where army reserve Gen. Walter Souza Braga Netto was also confirmed at the party’s vice presidential candidate.

Attending a huge rally held in the Maracanazinho sports pavilion in Rio de Janeiro was the current president, along with several of his cabinet ministers and other political figures, including former President Fernando Collor de Mello and former soccer star and current senator Romario.

Bolsonaro broke with accepted protocol by having his wife Michelle speak first at the convention to deliver a message rife with religious overtones that recalled the assassination attempt on her husband four years ago by a knife-wielding assailant, praising what she said were his outstanding qualities and asserting that he was “the one chosen by God” to lead the South American giant.

In the October elections, Bolsonaro’s main rival – known as Lula and the founder of the nation’s Workers Party (PT) – is backed by 47 percent of survey respondents saying they intend to vote, according to the most recent polls.

Bolsonaro, in contrast, is supported by only 28 percent of likely voters, according to the same surveys.

EFE mat/mp/laa/bp