The center-right senator Simone Tebet, who ranked third in number of votes during the Brazilian presidential elections, announced her support for former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second round, to be held on October 30. .
Tebet’s stance was highly anticipated. He represents an important reinforcement for the campaign of the leader of the Workers’ Party. The senator had 4.9 million votes in the first round, 4.16% of the total.
Tebet, an anti-abortion Catholic whose support could be key to influencing conservative voters, criticized both former President Lula and Bolsonaro at a news conference in Sao Paulo. But she said there was no question which was worse. “In these last four years Brazil has been consumed by a bonfire of hatred and struggle,” she said, attacking Bolsonaro for his denial of Covid-19, pro-gun policies and for the 30 million Brazilians who live hungry.
“I maintain my criticism of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva… but I will give him my vote because I recognize his commitment to democracy and the Constitution, something I have never seen in the current president.”
Tebet expressed his support for Lula after having lunch together. Both, he said, agreed to incorporate some points in their electoral program, such as stimulating savings among young people, helping families in debt, a law that guarantees equal pay between men and women, and a government with diverse ministries in which There are men, women and people with disabilities.
Lula also won the backing of his predecessor in the presidency, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002), the center-right politician who defeated him in the 1994 and 1998 elections. Cardoso wrote on Twitter that he would vote for the “history of struggle for democracy and social inclusion” by Lula. “Thank you for your vote and his trust,” Lula responded.
Lula also won the backing of his center-left rival, Ciro Gomes.
