Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his runoff rival Flavio Bolsonaro have stepped up their campaigns, with Lula urging supporters to take to the streets, while Flavio defended constitutional changes involving the judiciary, criminal responsibility and tax reform, according to the O Globo newspaper.
"Come on, everyone, let's take to the streets and talk to people. Those of you who love Brazil, education and democracy, who want quality jobs, to continue studying and to see Brazil grow," Lula said in a video posted on US social media platform X on Wednesday.
"Those of you who need to improve your lives, let’s take to the streets and win this election."
Lula's campaign seeks to change its communication strategy after he finished the first round behind Flavio. He is more than two million votes behind Flavio and has just 20 days to claw his way back.
O Globo said the campaign plans to give more space to young politicians and left-wing influencers, while increasing Lula’s presence on social media and other platforms.
Trump factor
Lula also stepped up his attacks on the Bolsonaro family, posting a video noting episodes from Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency and urging Brazilians to "defend Brazil from the Bolsonaro family."
His first round campaign leaned heavily on the cause of sovereignty in the face of pressure from US administration.
The campaign is seeking to mobilise voters who did not participate in the first round and attract supporters of candidates eliminated from the race.
Flavio, meanwhile, defended constitutional changes targeting the judiciary, the age of criminal responsibility and tax reform.
"There has to be, yes, a reform of the judiciary. I have supported lowering the age of criminal responsibility for a long time; this must be done through a Proposed Constitutional Amendment. There are aspects of the tax reform that need to be changed through a Proposed Constitutional Amendment,” Flavio told reporters in Brasilia, according to CNN Brasil.
Flavio said on Tuesday that he would seek to change the constitution if elected, arguing that the changes would help "redemocratise" the country.
Flavio is seeking to consolidate his support after finishing the first round ahead of Lula. He won 47 percent of the votes, compared with 45 percent for Lula.
The two candidates are now seeking to broaden their support ahead of the October 25 runoff, but are taking different approaches as they seek to gain an advantage.
The runoff will determine Brazil's next president, with the winner set to serve a four-year term.
