Lula launches new manifesto amid cyberattacks

At an event in São Paulo this Tuesday, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva presented a new version of his manifesto after taking on board contributions from six allied parties. A website was launched to gather suggestions that can be incorporated into the document. But the system has already been disrupted by cyberattacks.

“Our platform has already suffered several attempts at attacks by pro-Bolsonaro supporters. They are putting forward a proposal for Lula to end the Health Ministry,” said former minister Aloízio Mercadante, responsible for the program. According to the Workers’ Party’s press office, the attacks are under control.

The new text was enlarged to defend interference in Petrobras’ pricing policy, taking advantage of recent increases in fuel prices. “Jair Bolsonaro could, with a stroke of the pen, force the president of Petrobras to reduce the price,” Lula said. 

“But he acts with a lot of bravado and keeps the price high because he doesn’t want to fight with the shareholders. And he’s going to create all the confusion to propose its privatization later this year.” Currently, Petrobras sets its prices through a mechanism based on the international market.

The program also highlighted the protection of the Amazon and a zero deforestation proposal, after the murders of British journalist Dom Phillips and indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, which had a negative impact on public opinion.

The event was marred by riots. First, São Paulo City Councilor Eduardo Suplicy, a historic figure within the Workers’ Party, interrupted the meeting shouting that he was not invited and that his suggestion to incorporate a universal basic income program was ignored.

Lula tried to soften him. He said that Mr. Suplicy deserved “a Nobel Prize” for fighting hunger and that “God willing” basic income “will one day be implemented in Brazil”. 

The meeting was also heckled by a pro-Bolsonaro militant who invaded the premises but was swiftly removed.

Once again, the former president did not explain where he will get the money to fulfill all the proposals. “We’ll get the money, and don’t ask now because you’re going to want the money. We’ll first earn it to start managing,” he said.

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