Campaign against Tactical Voting in The 1st Round Unites Lula and Bolsonaro's Rivals

Ciro refuses to give up in favor of the PT, and the third way preaches diversification of the debate and resistance to the coup

Rivals of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Jair Bolsonaro (PL) try to stop the campaign for a useful vote in the first round and avoid a deepening polarization of the presidential race between the two, who together hold around 70% in the polls.

As a survival tactic, candidates such as those of Ciro Gomes (PDT) and Simone Tebet (MDB) strive to convince voters that the anticipation of the second round only interests the favorites, impoverishes the debate and intensifies the division in society.

Some say that the funneling still undermines resistance to the coup attempted by Bolsonaro, with the prospect of suspicion about the electronic voting machines and contestation of the result.

PT and bolsonaristas, in turn, use the thesis for their own benefit and instigate the bases to endorse a plebiscitary character of the October 2nd vote —the second round is scheduled for the 30th of the same month.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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