Good morning! Today, why President Jair Bolsonaro’s camp believes he has a good chance of beating Lula in October. Brazil’s new energy plan. And worrisome unemployment trends.
Bolsonaro supporters are confident he will win
Every single presidential poll ahead of 2022 shows former leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with double-digit leads over Jair Bolsonaro. And yet, the president’s entourage is certain that he will be the winner after the October 30 runoff stage, according to multiple sources who spoke to Brasília correspondent Amanda Audi. A few factors justify the bullish predictions:
Polls. Two new polls published yesterday and today have once again shown that Lula’s gap is growing narrower as Mr. Bolsonaro cannibalizes former Justice Minister Sergio Moro’s support — who, at this moment, is as good as out of the race. Plus, the heads of two polling institutes tell Amanda that the “real” gap between the two men is even smaller than the numbers may indicate.
Pork and stimulus. Mr. Bolsonaro’s so-called “secret budget,” which consists of opaque budgetary grants to lawmakers, may have a big impact on voters in smaller constituencies as it pours money directly into local high-profile projects. A trickle of funds has become a torrent.
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