A group of 35 Brazilian bishops signed a letter this week saying that right-wing presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro “threatens democracy, national sovereignty, and the common good” in Brazil.
The letter – an unusually direct intervention into electoral politics for the country’s bishops – comes two days before the Oct. 25 runoff between Bolsonaro and incumbent president Lula Da Silva.
Bolsonaro unexpectedly won the first round of the election with 47% of the vote, and is now leading in the polls heading into the Oct. 25 election. He is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest for a coup attempt.
Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Credit: Global Frame / Alamy.Da Silva, who hails from the left-wing Workers Party, has advanced campaign proposals including lowering the standard work week from 44 to 40 hours without reducing salaries, expanding Brazil’s welfare program, offering free public transport, and enacting more environmental protections.
Bolsonaro, the candidate for the right-wing Liberal Party, has promised to reduce taxes and public spending, and implement tougher policies on crime, including extended prison sentences and chemical castration of men found guilty of rape.
In diplomatic
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