Too Many People Are Interfering

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro named conservative Congressman Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation over his presidential ticket for October's election against incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Gaspar, 55, represents the northeastern state of Alagoas in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies and previously served as its public security secretary. Accepting the nomination, he called himself "a simple person from the northeast" defined by "hard work and honour, vowing to work with Bolsonaro "to transform Brazil into a fair and decent place.

Gaspar led a congressional investigation into Brazil's National Social Security Institute (INSS), an agency under scrutiny after Lula's son, Fabio Luis Lula da Silva, faced allegations of receiving improper payments linked to an alleged pension fraud scheme. Political analyst Lucas de Aragao of consultancy Arko Advice called the choice surprising but said Gaspar was well-placed to attack Lula on a politically sensitive issue. "He has the authority to deal with an issue that is uncomfortable for Lula.

He also speaks extensively about public security, Aragao said. Gaspar emerged after higher-profile figures, including Senator Tereza Cristina and former Caixa Economica Federal chief Daniella Marques, failed to secure their parties' support. Bolsonaro, son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, has struggled to expand his coalition, with several centre-right parties backing Lula or staying neutral.

A Quaest survey on Wednesday showed Lula leading Bolsonaro 44 percent to 39 percent in a simulated run-off, down from an eight-point lead in mid-July; in a first-round scenario, Lula had 39 percent to Bolsonaro's 30 percent. Launching his re-election campaign on Sunday, Lula cast the vote as a battle for Brazil's sovereignty, saying, "Too many people are poking their fingers into our business. Too many people are interfering in our land.

And that is going to stop. In July, Brazil denied visas to two US State Department officials Lula said were sent to "meddle" in the elections. The diplomatic rift deepened Tuesday when the Trump administration temporarily revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington. As long as I'm president, no one from outside will interfere in Brazilian elections, Lula said Wednesday.