Ronaldo Caiado declared support for Flávio Bolsonaro in Goiânia, three weeks after calling him one of the "biggest robbers in Brazil." União Brasil and PP announced support, as did the governor-elect of Pará, Dr. Daniel. Flávio asked Republicanos and Podemos for support and confirmed he will attend the debates; the first will be on October 18, on Band. He said he will use the majority in Congress to change the Constitution and "redemocratize the country"; he later explained that he was talking about reform of the STF and the end of reelection. He reaffirmed that he will not seek reelection and denied a candidacy by his father in 2030. Lula held internal meetings and said the vote on the 6x1 PEC is the PL's "first test." The PT is approaching PSD and Republicanos.
Endorsements from governors and Centrão parties expand Flávio's structure in the states. The promise to change the Constitution already sets the tone of the dispute over the STF.
Changes to the Constitution require three-fifths of Congress in two rounds. What changes for voters depends on which amendments would move forward.
Flávio is building a broad coalition, with governors and center parties, and promises not to seek reelection.
Talk of "redemocratizing" the country and using the majority against the STF worries those who fear pressure on the Judiciary.
Caiado shows that the right is regrouping fast. The question is the price of the endorsements. Watch whether the MDB and the PSD split, and what Lula offers the center besides Alckmin.
G1 · O Globo · Agência Brasil · CNN Brasil · Folha · Estadão · Valor (all Oct. 6)
Caiado, União Brasil and PP side with Flávio. The PL candidate says he will use a majority in Congress to change the Constitution
Three weeks after calling Flávio Bolsonaro one of the “biggest robbers in Brazil,” Ronaldo Caiado announced his support for him in Goiânia. Lula spent the day in internal meetings and is trying to use the constitutional amendment (PEC) ending the 6x1 schedule to split the opposing base.
The second day of the runoff campaign brought endorsements for the PL candidate. At a meeting in Goiânia, Ronaldo Caiado (PSD), the former governor of Goiás who also ran for president, declared his support for Flávio Bolsonaro, three weeks after calling him one of the “biggest robbers in Brazil,” as O Globo recalled. União Brasil and PP, the two parties of the União Progressista federation, announced formal support and are preparing a joint event; the governor-elect of Pará, Dr. Daniel (Podemos), also came on board. According to O Globo, Flávio also asked for the support of Republicanos and Podemos. In Folha, the Painel column reports that most of the PSDB’s state party committees already favor the PL candidate, while Rio Grande do Sul governor Eduardo Leite leans toward neutrality. Flávio confirmed that he will take part in debates with Lula, after days of doubt within his own circle, and said he “already wanted to have taken part.” The first TV encounter, organized by Band and Estadão, is set for October 18. With governors-elect and Centrão parties at his side, Flávio now counts on strong campaign platforms in Goiás, Paraná and Pará. Caiado brings the PL candidate the weight of Center-West agribusiness.
The line of the day came from Flávio. He said he will have a majority to elect the presidents of the Chamber and the Senate and intends to use it to change the Constitution and “redemocratize the country.” Later, the campaign explained that he was referring to reform of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the end of reelection; Flávio reaffirmed that he will not seek a second term if elected and denied that his father, Jair Bolsonaro, will run in 2030. The campaign coordinator, Rogério Marinho, went to the STF and told the court’s president, Edson Fachin, that the Senate “will not be negligent” about crimes by justices; in the evening, he fell ill on the return to Brasília and was taken to a hospital. Flávio also called the discussion of ending the 6x1 schedule “opportunistic” and defended pay by the hour worked. Lula replied that the vote on the PEC will be the “first test” for the PL to say “what it wants for this country” and that the “mask will fall.” The PT president approached PSD, Republicanos and members of the PP in search of support for Lula.