During the May 1st event in São Paulo, the president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) appealed to those present to vote for the federal deputy Guilherme Boulos (PSOL-SP), candidate supported by him in the race for mayor of the city of São Paulo. This request for votes for Boulos, who was present at the event, provoked reactions among other municipal pre-candidacies.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Guilherme Boulos
Photo: Reproduction/YouTube / Perfil Brasil
“I’m going to make an appeal: every person who voted for Lula in 1989, in 1994, in 1998, in 2006, in 2010, in 2018, in 2022, has to vote for Boulos for mayor of São Paulo”called Lula.
The president stated that Boulos is facing three opponents. “He’s running against our national opponent, he’s running against our state opponent and he’s running against our municipal opponent.”
To CNN, jurists said that Lula violated electoral rules. Alberto Rollo, lawyer specialized in electoral law, explained that Lula’s action could result in a fine of R$5 to R$25 thousand for both him and the beneficiary, if a prior agreement is proven.
Given what happened, some pre-candidates reacted to Lula’s speeches. Among Boulos’ opponents who spoke out are the current mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB), the federal deputy Kim Kataguiri (Union) and the economist Marina Helena, pre-candidate for the Novo party.
MDB’s reaction to requests for votes for Boulos
Ricardo Nunes reported to CNN that he was “perplexed” with Lula’s position. Although she did not attend the event, she issued a note through the MDB. According to the party, Lula and Boulos made advance electoral propaganda, “since there was an express request for votes”.
In short, the note stated that Ricardo Vita Porto, lawyer from the MDB municipal directory, will take legal action seeking a fine for Lula and Boulos. In addition, the MDB plans to ask the Public Ministry (MP) to open an investigation to determine the costs of the event, including public expenses, and examine the use of the union structure to promote a candidacy.
“If the occurrence of abuse of economic power and authority has been verified, an electoral judicial investigation (AIJE) must be launched, which could result in the declaration of ineligibility for Lula and the revocation of Boulos’ candidacy, as a consenting beneficiary of the prohibited conduct”communicated the note.
Furthermore, Enrico Misasipresident of the Municipal Directory of the MDB of São Paulo, declared in a note that the stance of the President of the Republic “it is an affront to current electoral legislation”.
“Lula’s boldness in an empty act with a controlled audience is yet another warning to São Paulo residents: we cannot let São Paulo serve as a springboard for the power project that the extreme left has for Brazil”he added in a note.
Other positions and the reaction of Boulos’ team
Like Ricardo Nunes, other pre-candidates also understand that there was an electoral infraction. Kim Kataguiri stated that he will file a lawsuit for “early election propaganda” in the face of requests for votes for Boulos.
Furthermore, Marina Helena announced that she will take immediate legal action against what she also considers early electoral propaganda. Furthermore, she must present a representation to the Public Ministry for alleged abuse of political power.
Joshua Rochacoordinator of Boulos’ pre-campaign, told CNN that Mayor Ricardo Nunes is trying “to detect the use of official City Hall events, held with public money, to promote his candidacy for re-election”. Furthermore, Rocha emphasized that it is Ricardo Nunes who must provide clarifications to society.
* Under the supervision of Lilian Coelho
