Brazilian Presidential Candidate Jair Bolsonaro Diminishes Lack of Alliances

07/23/2018 - 12h26

Federal Deputy Jair Bolsonaro (PSL-Rio de Janeiro), 63, officially launched his candidacy for the president's office yesterday, diminishing the importance of formal alliances while criticizing the political allegiances made by his adversaries.

He has referred to the so-called "centrão" (or "big center") - which is composed of political parties such as DEM, PP, SD, PR, who have endorsed presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) - as "deplorable".

In his own speech, he said that, in the context of the current election, he was the "ugly duckling", but that he was not isolated and that he has the support of several federal deputies who belong to parties that didn't officially endorse him.

"We need to make Brazil great. If we want this team to win the championship, its chief can't depend on any political parties," Bolsonaro said.

	AFP PHOTO / Carl DE SOUZA
	Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro (L) is accompanied by his wife Michelle Bolsonaro as he launches his campaign for the presidency of Brazil for October's national election during the national convention of the Social Liberal Party (PSL), in Rio de Janeiro

Despite criticism, Bolsonaro tried offering the vice-presidential slot on his ticket to Valdemar Costa Neto, a member of the PR who was sentenced to prison in the "mensalão" lawsuit.

In his speech, Bolsonaro brought up God, family values, leftists and recycled several clichés brought up in his earlier speeches.

Janaína Paschoal, a lawyer who is being considered as a potential running mate, criticized the presidential candidate's supporters for wanting "to hear a completely uniform speech."

On Friday (the 20th), Ciro Gomes (PDT) launched his presidential campaign, nodding to the entrepreneurial sector and especially to parties on the left in an attempt to overcome the political isolation he has faced over the past few days.

Ciro Gomes, who has faced rejection from those in the entrepreneurial sector and has had a hard time making political alliances, said that it was time for "all political forces with a public spirit" to come together and change the country.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

Read the article in the original language