Brazil front-runner Lula shores up party alliances for October election
"Bolsonaro faces ‘crimes against humanity’ charge over COVID-19 mishandling: 5 essential reads"
-- Insert video: Brazilian town builds Christ statue taller than Rio's
50 views Apr 30, 2022
Newzee Rio de Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer has competition. The small town of Encantado in southern Brazil has built a taller Christ to attract tourism. Christ the Protector is 43 meters (141 feet) high, compared to Rio's statue, which is 38 meters (125 feet), including in both cases their pedestals. Built with concrete over a metal structure, it has already been erected on a hill above the town, but the venue will only open to the public sometime next year, said Robison Gonzatti, vice president of the association that sponsored the statue. "It is the largest Christ in the world," he said. The statue has an observation point for visitors who can look out through a large heart-shaped. The view will have to compete with the spectacular sight tourists have looked out over Guanabara Bay from the Christ standing atop Rio's Corcovado mountain. Rio's Art Deco statue was built with reinforced concrete and soapstone and took nine years to complete in 1931, becoming an icon of Rio de Janeiro and one of the wonders of the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqYdMh2zuTM --
By Lisandra Paraguassu April 29, 202210:42 AM GMT+10Last Updated 2 days ago
1/4 Former Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts during a news conference after meeting with the Rede Sustentabilidade party in Brasilia, Brazil April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Andressa Anholete
BRASILIA, April 28 (Reuters) - Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told allies on Thursday he aims to represent a seven-party center-left coalition in his challenge to incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in this October's election.
Lula, a former union organizer leading the presidential race, has stacked his agenda with party congresses to cement that coalition, including Thursday rallies with the Brazilian Socialist Party and Sustainability Network (REDE).
"To those who have not joined us yet, our arms are open to welcome everyone who wants to recover this country," he told reporters at a meeting with REDE.
Senator Randolfe Rodrigues pledged REDE's support for Lula's candidacy, but party founder Marina Silva, a former Lula environment minister, was absent. Silva left Lula's government and she ran against his Workers Party (PT) in three bruising presidential elections.
Opinion surveys have shown Lula's advantage over Bolsonaro eroding in recent months, as Bolsonaro has ramped up spending on social programs. Still, the left-wing challenger maintains a double-digit advantage over his far-right opponent in simulations of a likely runoff.
Sources close to Lula told Reuters his strategy five months from the election is to focus on gathering maximum support for an expected second-round runoff against Bolsonaro.
Some parties are maneuvering to field their own candidates but could still back Lula in the runoff, such as the Social Democratic Party and some factions of the Brazilian Democratic Movement.
Later on Thursday, Lula was welcomed by cheering supporters at a national meeting of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), his main ally, where he appeared with his pick for running mate, former Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin.
Party members shouted "Out with Bolsonaro" and sang the Socialist hymn L'Internationale.
"We need to defeat Bolsonaro soundly because he is a disgrace for Brazil," PSB president Carlos Siqueira said in a speech. Party leaders said Bolsonaro had undermined labor rights and environmental protections. Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle; editing by Brad Haynes, Alistair Bell and Richard Pullin
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