Lula not to run for president, says Brazil’s top electoral authority

Justice Luiz Fux, head of Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court, stated yesterday (Aug. 1) that former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cannot run for president. The statement can be found in a ruling where he rejects a request to bar the onetime leader from registering as candidate even before August 15, the deadline for the registration of presidential hopefuls.

Despite having rejected the motion for believing  a judge should not question a candidate’s registration, Fux argued for Lula’s ineligibility, but said he cannot make a final decision on the matter, as the court should consider the registration of Lula’s candidacy, yet to be filed. The onetime president’s Workers’ Party (PT) has already said his candidacy will be lodged on the last day of the period.

Lula may be barred from running for president of Brazil in compliance with the country’s Clean Record Law, which bans the candidacy of individuals convicted by an appellate court. Lula has been in jail since April 7 and was sentenced to 12 years and one month in prison for corruption and money laundering. Appeals against his conviction have been filed and are ongoing at higher courts.