PTB unveils Roberto Jefferson’s bid for president in Brazil
The Brazilian Labor Party, or PTB, has announced the presidential candidacy of federal representative Roberto Jefferson. Jefferson is honorary president of the party and his name was chosen by all voting members today (Aug 1). However, he did not attend the convention, as he is under house arrest by a court order. Jefferson is accused of disrupting the electoral process, delivering addresses with hate speech, and attacking democratic institutions.
In a video, Jefferson said his bid is not aimed at rivaling President Jair Bolsonaro’s attempt at reelection. The goal, he said, is to expand the number of alternatives on the right. “Now, in 2022, Bolsonaro is running for reelection alone, against everything and everyone, while the left presents itself as an octopus with several tentacles in the form of multiple candidacies, filling all possible niches,” he said, in a clip aired at the convention.
“A right-wing candidate has his electorate inhibited. He won’t reconnect with the discontented, the so-called nonpartisan voters, which leads to a gigantic number of abstentions that ends up electing a left-wing candidate by a minority.”
“It’s an unfair fight,” he added. The PTB did not report whether a running mate has been selected.
Bio
A lawyer born in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Roberto Jefferson is 69 years old and has been in national politics for decades. Before making a career in politics, he participated in television programs in the 1980s. He took part in the programs Aqui e Agora, in a kind of simulated jury, on TV Tupi; Domingo à Noite, on TVS, now SBT. He also hosted O Povo na TV, also on TVS.
His first term as federal representative started in 1983, after which he served six consecutive terms. He had his mandate revoked after confessing his participation in the scheme known as mensalão. Jefferson became nationally known for exposing the vote-buying arrangement, a scandal in which he was also involved. He was convicted of the crimes of corruption and money laundering.
In August 2021, Jefferson had his preventive arrest ordered by Judge Alexandre de Moraes over attacks targeting institutions online. His accounts on social media were blocked. In January this year, due to health reasons, Jefferson began serving house arrest.
