Brazil's Lula says he will not tolerate threats against institutions

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

© APA | Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

# 03 July 2022 01:37 (UTC +04:00)

Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is leading in the polls for Brazil's October presidential election, said on Saturday he will not tolerate threats against institutions, and that the armed forces need to commit to democracy, APA reports quoting Reuters.

"It is necessary to overcome authoritarianism and anti-democratic threats. We will not tolerate any kind of threat on the institutions that represent the popular vote," Lula said in a speech in the northeastern city of Salvador.

Three other presidential candidates also attended the event to celebrate the independence of the State of Bahia, including right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, who is running for re-election.

Lula was president of Brazil from 2003 to 2011.

Lula said at Saturday's event: "It is necessary to re-establish an environment of political, economic and institutional stability that provides confidence and security to investments that are of interest to the country's development."

He defended the importance of the military for the country, while emphasizing they must have a commitment to democracy.

"The independent and sovereign Brazil that we want cannot give up its armed forces. Not only well-trained and equipped, but, above all, committed to democracy," Lula said.

Lula drew 47% support against Bolsonaro's 28% in a Datafolha opinion poll at the end of June.

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