Panel SA: Amoêdo declares vote for Lula in the 2nd round

João Amoêdo, founder of the Novo party, who declared his vote for Bolsonaro in the 2nd round of 2018, had already signaled that he would cancel this year. But he decided to vote for Lula, despite criticizing the PT.

“The facts, recent history and the result of the 1st round, which strengthened Bolsonaro’s support base, lead me to the conclusion that the current president poses a substantially greater risk,” Amoêdo told the newspaper. Sheet in writing.

Among the risks that make him give up the null vote, he cites Bolsonaro’s recent statement about changing the composition of the STF.

Amoêdo foresees criticism of his declaration of vote within the Novo, but says that freedom of expression is one of the party’s principles.

Mr. already signaled that he would not vote for Lula or Bolsonaro. Are there any chances to change your mind?

In October 2018, I wrote an article in Folha in which I justified and declared my position in the 2nd round. It was a vote against the PT project. It was unacceptable that a party involved in so many corruption schemes and which led the country to the worst recession could return to power. Voting for Bolsonaro with all its limitations was not an option, but the lack of them.

In the last 12 years, I have dedicated a large part of my time to trying to make a contribution to the country. I founded a party, ran for president in 2018, positioned myself in the 2nd round, sought to be present in the public debate and defended Bolsonaro’s impeachment since April 2020.

I resigned from the presidency of Novo early to strengthen it as an institution. And even far from management, as a member, I worked to defend the party’s image and original conception. These actions, and the resulting exposure, have resulted in the dissemination of numerous false narratives and constant personal attacks, which I face or ignore with serenity and security because I believe I am doing the right thing.

And now you’re going to cancel? The easiest path would be not to declare a vote, but that would be inconsistent with the decision I made in 2010 to participate in public life. I will share my position on the 2nd round of this year and the logic of the decision.

In these four years, we regressed institutionally and as a society. Passion and hatred dominated the political debate, pushing polarization to unacceptable levels. The independence of the Powers was compromised. The Legislature was co-opted by the secret budget and parliamentary amendments. The Federal Supreme Court has become the target of frequent attacks by the president and his allies.

The fight against corruption was extinguished with the false narrative that it ended and with the dismantling of Lava Jato. The disregard for education, the environment, science, culture, fiscal responsibility and, above all, the contempt for the lives of Brazilians complete the disastrous legacy.

Bolsonaro confirmed that he was not only a bad manager, as we had already predicted, but also a person without compassion for others. He is incapable of dialogue, of assuming his responsibilities and has no commitment to the truth. He is an autocratic ruler who places himself above institutions.

Has your view of Lula changed?In relation to the PT and Lula, I continue with the same criticisms and enormous restrictions. How can we forget the monthly allowance, petrolão, the 2015 and 2016 recession, fiscal pedaling, support for dictatorships? I completely disagree with the ideas and methods. The inability to admit mistakes is a guarantee of future mistakes. I never had any doubts. Neither Lula nor Bolsonaro deserve my vote. I will be opposition to either one.

However, and unfortunately, the choice that now presents itself in the ballot box is not about the direction I want for Brazil, but only the possibility of limiting additional damages to our right as a citizen. And that’s all I hope to keep with this election: the right to be opposition. With regular elections, limited reelection, minimally independent institutions, free press and security to express my ideas. None of this is guaranteed with either option. But the facts, recent history and the result of the 1st round, which strengthened Bolsonaro’s support base, lead me to the conclusion that the current president presents a substantially greater risk.

Will it be your 1st vote in PT?On the 30th, I’ll do something I never imagined. Against the re-election of Jair Bolsonaro, for the first time in my life, I will type 13. Pressing the “Confirm” button will be a very difficult task. But I will remember the president who mocked the victims of the pandemic, while thousands of families mourned the loss of their loved ones.

Mr. Do you expect to receive criticism in Novo?It is possible, but it would not be coherent. The Novo statute does not provide for any restriction on the member in situations like this, and one of the party’s principles is freedom of expression. In addition, I was not aware of any criticism from the party to the representatives who declared their vote and support for Bolsonaro shortly after the end of the elections, even though there was a party directive that guided the institution and the candidacies for that year as opposition to the federal government.

On Twitter, Mr. criticized Bolsonaro’s new speech that considered expanding the STF. To what extent does this concern you?It worries a lot. The idea of ​​increasing the number of STF ministers to 16, with the two leaving the court in the coming years, would allow Bolsonaro, if re-elected, to appoint seven ministers, which added to the two already appointed by him would give him a majority in the court. This type of maneuver has already been carried out by autocratic leaders such as Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. This is one of the risks that made me give up the null vote.

X-ray

A former banker, he was one of the founders of the Novo party in 2011, and ran for the presidency for the party in 2018. He held the position of president of the party until 2020, when he announced that he would only remain an affiliate.