Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the Supreme Court at a meeting with allies in Brasília on October 5. He described his candidacy as the only anti-establishment option after finishing behind Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the presidential election’s first round.

Bolsonaro won 47.03% of valid votes, compared with Lula’s 45.16%. The two will face each other in a runoff on October 25. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and senator-elect Marília Arraes joined Lula at the meeting.

Lula links campaign difficulties to court criticism

Lula described Bolsonaro as the establishment’s candidate. He said his own campaign was bearing the cost of a crisis of confidence in Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.

The president alleged that improper relationships had become established within the court following allegations. The specific allegations behind his criticism remain unclear.

Brazilian broadcaster SBT reported questions about relationships between Supreme Court justices and former banker Daniel Vorcaro. The nature of any such relationships, and the evidence behind those questions, remain unclear.

Lula nevertheless said he was convinced he would win the runoff. He told allies he saw no economic or social reason that should prevent his re-election.

Security and outreach to nonvoters

Lula also indicated that public security could receive greater attention during the remaining campaign. He said state governments could not tackle the growth of crime alone and called for a larger federal role.

He indicated that he would seek to advance a proposal expanding federal responsibilities in combating crime. Details of the measures and how they would change the division of responsibilities remain unclear.

About 33 million people did not vote in the first round, the highest abstention figure since 1998, according to Brazilian media reports. Lula urged allies to understand why those voters stayed away and persuade them to participate in the runoff.

He also told unsuccessful allied candidates not to blame or criticize voters. Some people might not have understood their campaign message, he said, urging greater humility.

Televised debates ahead of the runoff

Lula backed televised debates and indicated that he intended to take part. He said the second round would allow a direct exchange between the two remaining candidates.

His attendance and the final debate schedule remain unconfirmed. Lula told the gathering that his Workers’ Party had 20 days to explain what he described as the forces behind support for Bolsonaro.