Brazil has to pick between two candidates surrounded by controversies as the next president. Former President Luiz Ignacio Lula and current President Bolsonaro are the two candidates in the race. Here's all you need to know.
Nandini Singh
New Delhi,
: Oct 24, 2022
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
(Photo: Reuters)
By Nandini Singh:
By Nandini Singh:
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose first tenure was marred by scandals, Covid and deforestation of the Amazon, is currently trailing behind leftwing candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the race for the top post. According to a poll survey, Lula enjoys 49 per cent of voter support compared to Bolsonaro's 44 per cent ahead of the October 30 runoff vote.
However, the more things change, the more they remain the same in Brazil. The country has to pick between two candidates surrounded by controversies. Former President Luiz Ignacio Lula and current President Bolsonaro are the two candidates in the fray. Brazilians have to look into their past to elect their future leaders.
Let's first look at Lula, a two-time President. Lula served eight years as President till 2011. His tenure saw high economic growth and reduced inequality. Lula introduced a left-wing agenda into policies and measures implemented during his term.
Lula, who did not have any formal education, reportedly had one of the highest approval ratings the country has ever seen.
However, corruption was rampant under the Lula regime. During his watch, a corruption scandal broke out in which politicians and businessmen were accused of laundering money in collusion with a state-owned oil company.
Subsequently, Lula was convicted and imprisoned on charges of money laundering and corruption, but he always said that he was not guilty. In a dramatic turn of events, just before this election, a court annulled his conviction, and he is back again running in yet another President's campaign.
Jair Bolsonaro is the exact opposite of Lula, a far-right conservative leader who admired former US President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro has sparked controversy with statements such as "We as Brazilians hate homosexuals". Despite the initial backing, Bolsonaro's popularity dropped due to the mishandling of Covid pandemic.
Bolsonaro remained a vaccine sceptic and refused to allow vaccines in his country. Brazil had one of the highest mortality rates during multiple Covid waves. Over six lakh people died of the infection in Brazil under Bolsonaro's rule.
Read | Jair Bolsonaro and his crimes against humanity
In mid-2019, massive fires caused by deforestation scorched whole sections of the Amazon rainforest, provoking a chorus of global criticism of Bolsonaro's policies. Under his presidency, the destruction of Brazil's portion of the world's biggest rainforest has increased by 75 per cent compared to the previous decade. Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for undermining the powers of supervisory authorities in the Amazon and for encouraging mining and agriculture in the protected areas.
However, the more things change, the more they remain the same in Brazil. The country has to pick between two candidates surrounded by controversies. Former President Luiz Ignacio Lula and current President Bolsonaro are the two candidates in the fray. Brazilians have to look into their past to elect their future leaders.
Let's first look at Lula, a two-time President. Lula served eight years as President till 2011. His tenure saw high economic growth and reduced inequality. Lula introduced a left-wing agenda into policies and measures implemented during his term.
Lula, who did not have any formal education, reportedly had one of the highest approval ratings the country has ever seen.
However, corruption was rampant under the Lula regime. During his watch, a corruption scandal broke out in which politicians and businessmen were accused of laundering money in collusion with a state-owned oil company.
Subsequently, Lula was convicted and imprisoned on charges of money laundering and corruption, but he always said that he was not guilty. In a dramatic turn of events, just before this election, a court annulled his conviction, and he is back again running in yet another President's campaign.
Jair Bolsonaro is the exact opposite of Lula, a far-right conservative leader who admired former US President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro has sparked controversy with statements such as "We as Brazilians hate homosexuals". Despite the initial backing, Bolsonaro's popularity dropped due to the mishandling of Covid pandemic.
Bolsonaro remained a vaccine sceptic and refused to allow vaccines in his country. Brazil had one of the highest mortality rates during multiple Covid waves. Over six lakh people died of the infection in Brazil under Bolsonaro's rule.
Read | Jair Bolsonaro and his crimes against humanity
In mid-2019, massive fires caused by deforestation scorched whole sections of the Amazon rainforest, provoking a chorus of global criticism of Bolsonaro's policies. Under his presidency, the destruction of Brazil's portion of the world's biggest rainforest has increased by 75 per cent compared to the previous decade. Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for undermining the powers of supervisory authorities in the Amazon and for encouraging mining and agriculture in the protected areas.
No comments:
Post a Comment