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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Prison, hospital new battle grounds in Brazil poll race

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A jail cell and hospital bed have turned into the most unlikely, and important, campaign barracks during Brazil’s presidential race. Jailed leftist former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and hospitalised right-wing runner Jair Bolsonaro, who was stabbed by a left-wing activist on Thursday, have emerged as the two principal actors in the election soap opera that has proved as absurd as it has been enthralling. They may have the most supporters, but neither is expected to end up as successor to outgoing President Michel Temer, who declined to even stand in the election amidst record unpopularity levels.


Lula has been banned from standing in the October 7 first round due to his corruption conviction, while Bolsonaro, the subsequent front-runner, is widely expected to be beaten in the second round run-off no matter whom he faces.


Popular Workers’ Party leader Lula had been streaks ahead in the polls with twice as much support as his bridesmaid Bolsonaro.


But since he was struck off the ballot paper over Brazil’s clean-slate law and his punishment for accepting a seaside apartment as a bribe, Bolsonaro has forged clear on 22 per cent, 10 points ahead of environmentalist Marina Silva and centre-left candidate Ciro Gomes.


Despite their travails, both are enjoying soaring popularity, not least because many see them as victims, something that engenders sympathy, empathy and sometimes more votes.


Lula claims to be the target of a political persecution aimed at preventing him from running for, and winning, a third term as president following his successful back-to-back spells from 2003-10.


For David Fleischer, professor emeritus at the Political Science University in Brasilia, they are “victims of very different things.”


“Lula can consider himself a victim of the courts, but within the framework of the law,” he said.


“Bolsonaro was the victim of an attack. They’re victims, yes, but in Lula’s case that depends on your perception.”


Another difference is how they can exploit their victimhood.


“Bolsonaro can record videos and interviews from hospital, something Lula is banned from doing,” said Fleischer.


While Bolsonaro, 63, could have lost his life — he underwent surgery for multiple wounds to his mid-section — the subsequent media exposure is more than making up for his biggest campaign difficulty. In Brazil, presidential candidates are afforded television exposure in direct relation to their party’s chamber of deputies presence. — AFP


Gabriela Vaz


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