BRASILIA, Sept 13 (Reuters) – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro intends to run for reelection next year, the president of his Liberal Party (PL) said on Monday..
Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist, has repeatedly said he plans to seek a second term in office but had yet to formally declare his candidacy. The presidential election is scheduled for October 2022..
‘The president has already decided that he is a candidate for reelection,’ PL president Valdemar Costa Neto told reporters after meeting with Bolsonaro in the capital, Brasilia..
‘He will go down in history as the president who defended the nation’s values, the family, our lives, our freedom,’ Costa Neto added..
The 66-year-old Bolsonaro, who has been in office since January 2019, has been a polarizing figure during his presidency. He has drawn both praise and criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and environmental issues..
Bolsonaro’s approval ratings have been declining in recent months, and he is facing several corruption investigations. However, he remains popular among his core supporters, who see him as a defender of conservative values and a strong leader..
If Bolsonaro wins reelection, he would be the first Brazilian president elected to a second term since Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1998..
The announcement of Bolsonaro’s candidacy comes as Brazil prepares for a series of key elections in 2022. In addition to the presidential race, there will also be elections for governor, senator, and deputy..
The 2022 elections are expected to be highly competitive, with several potential candidates vying for the presidency. Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was barred from running in the 2018 election, is leading the polls..
Other potential candidates include former Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, former Ceara Governor Ciro Gomes, and former Environment Minister Marina Silva..
The 2022 elections will be closely watched around the world, as Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and a key player in global affairs..
