The next elections in Brazil take place in October, and campaign season has already begun.

Candidates are forging alliances and coalitions and preparing their political agendas. Once enemies, the former president and current presidential candidate, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from the Workers’ Party (PT), will have as his running mate Geraldo Alckmin, the former governor of São Paulo who switched from the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) to the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB).

Only a few years ago, it was common for PT militants to accuse Alckmin of being a fascist —even a Nazi— and of using the Military Police to repress social mobilizations. Today, at Lula’s behest, they are silent and accept the new ally that aims to transform the image of the former president and attract votes from those on the right who are not satisfied with the extremist current president, Jair Bolsonaro, but who also have no great sympathy for Lula either.

The decision is considered an intelligent one by political analysts but has caused tension within the PT. In spite of everything, Lula maintains absolute control over the party, guaranteeing the rapid approval of his vice-presidential pick.

Full article at Latino Rebels’ website. Date of publication: 28/04/2022.