Is Luciano Huck back in the presidential game?

It seems unanimous that outsiders will enter the 2018 election as true contenders. Brazilians are fed up with their political system: they mistrust political parties and the government, and feel that politicians are simply acting on their own behalf to the detriment of the general population. Moreover, the country’s most popular politician has just had a corruption conviction upheld, and will likely not be on the ballot.

This is why the political world has started wondering about TV presenter Luciano Huck. Already extremely well known to the Brazilian public, Huck hosts a Saturday afternoon show at Globo, the country’s leading station. He has segments filled with product placement in which he fulfills the dreams of lower-income families who desire material comfort. Huck’s image appeals to poorer Brazilians, who prefer social welfare programs, yet his economic ideas also please the conservatives.

Without the slightest bit of effort, Huck is polling between 5 and 8 percent...