Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he was counting on Chamber of Deputies Speaker Hugo Motta to help him win re-election. Their meeting came after Motta’s party endorsed Flávio Bolsonaro.
At a news conference on October 8, Lula said Motta “will help me win the election.” CNN Brasil reported that the president was answering questions about a meeting at the official Palácio da Alvorada residence earlier that day.
Motta’s party, Republicanos, has backed Flávio Bolsonaro in the runoff. Representative Aguinaldo Ribeiro of the Progressistas party also attended the meeting. He had supported Lula in his home state, although his party also declared support for Jair Bolsonaro’s eldest son.
The Workers’ Party (PT) is now seeking support from individual politicians in parties that have joined Flávio. CNN Brasil reported that it is focusing on dissenters, including political figures in Brazil’s Northeast.
The União Progressista Federation, Republicanos and Podemos have formally endorsed Flávio Bolsonaro. PSD, MDB and PSDB have so far signaled neutrality in the presidential contest.