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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his runoff opponent Flavio Bolsonaro stepped up their campaigns on Wednesday, taking different approaches as they seek to broaden support ahead of the Oct. 25 vote, according to Brazilian media outlets O Globo and CNN Brasil.
In a video posted on “X”, Lula called on supporters to speak to voters in the streets, saying he wanted to mobilise people who cared about Brazil, education and democracy, as well as those seeking better lives.
Lula’s campaign is adjusting its communications strategy after he finished the first round behind Flavio. O Globo reported that the campaign plans to give more prominence to young politicians and left-wing influencers while increasing Lula’s presence on social media and other platforms.
The president has also stepped up criticism of the Bolsonaro family. In a video referring to episodes from Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, Lula urged Brazilians to “defend Brazil from the Bolsonaro family”, O Globo reported.
Lula’s campaign is seeking to mobilise voters who did not take part in the first round and attract supporters of candidates eliminated from the race.
Flavio, meanwhile, defended constitutional changes concerning the judiciary, the age of criminal responsibility and tax reform. He told reporters in Brasilia that judicial reform was needed and said he had long supported lowering the age of criminal responsibility. He added that the changes should be made through proposed constitutional amendments, CNN Brasil reported.
Flavio said on Tuesday that he would seek to change the Constitution if elected, arguing that the proposals would help “redemocratize” the country.
He is seeking to consolidate support after winning 47% of the first-round vote, compared with 45% for Lula. The runoff will decide Brazil’s next president, who will serve a four-year term.
