The reelection campaign of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) filed four complaints with the TSE, Brazil's top electoral court, on Saturday (29) against rivals in the presidential race. The targets are presidential candidates Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) and Romeu Zema (Novo), plus São Paulo city councilman Lucas Pavanato (PL). According to Folha de S.Paulo, the filings cover false information, use of artificial intelligence, insults and abuse of power.
The complaints were signed by the Federação Brasil da Esperança, the coalition of the PT, the PV and the PC do B that backs Lula. The toughest request concerns the Festa do Peão de Barretos, a rodeo festival in inland São Paulo state and one of the largest events of its kind in Latin America.
The Barretos case
In the complaint about the festival, Lula's coalition says the PL ticket used professional sound and lighting equipment and drew 60,000 people to a disguised campaign rally, a "showmício", paid for and sponsored by private companies and state bodies. In the campaign's reading, the episode amounts to illegal corporate financing. The federation asks the court to revoke the ticket's candidacy registration and to declare Flávio ineligible.
According to Folha, Flávio took the stage alongside São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), who is running for reelection. He told the crowd that "everyone who believes in God" knows agribusiness is the heart of the country and presented himself as Brazil's future president. The festival announcer introduced him as "our candidate for president of Brazil", and the crowd chanted "Lula, thief, your place is in prison". The newspaper said it sought comment from the senator's staff and the festival's press office by WhatsApp and received no reply.
The escalation at the court
The offensive began earlier in the week. On Wednesday (26), Lula's legal team filed two complaints against Renan Santos (Missão) and Caiado over statements in the first presidential debate, which Lula skipped, according to CNN Brasil. The requests include removing the content from social media and fining each candidate 30,000 reais. Lawyer Ricardo Penteado, who represents Caiado's campaign, replied in a statement: "It is a disgrace that, in addition to refusing to answer the criticisms made against him, he wants to silence his opponent with this attempt at censorship. Obviously, Brazilian justice will not grant it."
The four complaints filed on Saturday now await a decision by TSE justices. Flávio's campaign had already gone to the court on Thursday (27) to challenge Lula's use of the Palácio do Alvorada, the official presidential residence, for campaign purposes. The first round of the election is scheduled for October 4.