Lula holds final campaign rally on Paulista Avenue before runoff

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva closed his street campaign on Saturday, October 24, with a rally on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, the day before the presidential runoff. He traveled part of the avenue in an open vehicle alongside Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, First Lady Janja da Silva, and allies.

The event began around 14:00 near Alameda Campinas. Lula arrived at the sound truck at the intersection of Paulista Avenue and Alameda Campinas at approximately 15:52, according to one outlet. The procession then moved toward Consolação.

“I never imagined running in an election with a liar, a militiaman, and an unqualified person like the man running for the Presidency of the Republic.”

The campaign estimated through its sound truck that 14 blocks were occupied, while another outlet reported a trail of 12 fully packed blocks in both directions between Brigadeiro Luís Antônio and Consolação. No official or independent count confirmed the turnout or whether it was the largest in Paulista's history.

Present politicians included Alckmin, ministers Guilherme Boulos, Fernando Haddad, Marina Silva, Simone Tebet, and Márcio França, along with government members and parliamentarians. Marina Silva and Simone Tebet addressed supporters before Lula arrived.

Lula said he was convinced he would win the runoff against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. He criticized his opponent, calling him a liar, a militiaman, and unqualified, and added that the rival does not know the difference between a lie and a truth and lies with the greatest shamelessness.

Lula also said Brazilian society had decided to take responsibility for stating that an election is not a matter of political parties but of people who care about the country. He compared the runoff to the 1989 campaign and declared that society would not accept a person insensitive to the death of a five-year-old girl.