Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched his first free election campaign broadcast on radio channels on Saturday, using the slot to criticize his primary opponent Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and highlight the accomplishments of his administration.
The campaign program ran for five minutes and 32 seconds and took the form of a simulated conversation between the president and two mediators. Lula opened the broadcast by stating that there was a lot at stake in the upcoming election, emphasizing that leaders are not elected merely to govern but to take care of the people.
The broadcast briefly revisited the political history of the current president. It noted that despite Lula not holding a university diploma, his administration became the one that created the highest number of universities in the country.
Government achievements and labor reforms
During the program, the mediators highlighted a series of government initiatives implemented over the past four years. These included the creation of the Pé-de-Meia student financial incentive scheme, Brazil's removal from the World Food Programme Hunger Map, and recent improvements in national unemployment rates.
The campaign also addressed proposals to end the traditional 6x1 work shift, which requires employees to work six consecutive days for one day off. Lula stated that Brazil would move forward with reducing working hours, adding that the goal of the reform is to bring greater health, leisure, and enjoyment to workers' lives.
Lula, who represents the leftist Workers' Party, returned to power for a third non-consecutive presidential term after previously serving as president from 2003 to 2010. His political platform has historically centered on social welfare programs, poverty reduction, and the expansion of public higher education across Brazil.
Attacks on Flávio Bolsonaro
Lula's campaign dedicated approximately one minute of the broadcast to attacking his main electoral rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of the right-wing Liberal Party. Flávio Bolsonaro is the eldest son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The mediators asserted during the broadcast that the Liberal Party candidate was reluctant to work and claimed that he had requested 61 million reais from businessman Daniel Vorcaro. As the electoral program drew to a close, the campaign delivered a final critique, describing Flávio Bolsonaro as the worst of the Bolsonaro family.
Flávio Bolsonaro currently serves as a federal senator representing the state of Rio de Janeiro. The Liberal Party and the Workers' Party represent the two major opposing political forces in Brazilian politics, having faced off in intensely competitive national elections.
Rules and schedule for free electoral airtime
The broadcast marked the official start of the mandatory free electoral advertising period on national radio and television networks. The free slots, which began airing on Saturday, August 29, allow candidates for executive and legislative posts to present their platforms to the voting public.
Free political advertising in Brazil is guaranteed under federal Law Number 9,505 of 1997 and regulated by the Superior Electoral Court through Resolutions 23,610 of 2019 and 23,776 of 2026. The legislation mandates that broadcast networks allocate specific time blocks for political parties, federations, and electoral coalitions.
Broadcasts for executive and federal legislative candidates are scheduled to air every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Presidential candidates and Federal Deputies each receive 12 minutes and 30 seconds per block. On the radio, presidential slots run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:12:30 a.m. and from 12:00 p.m. to 12:12:30 p.m., while television broadcasts air from 1:00 p.m. to 1:12:30 p.m. and from 8:30 p.m. to 8:42:30 p.m. Federal Deputy broadcasts immediately follow, running until 7:25 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. on radio, and until 1:25 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. on television.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, airtime is allocated to candidates for Senator, State or District Deputy, and Governor. Senatorial candidates receive seven minutes per block, representing 28 percent of the time, airing on radio from 7:00 a.m. to 7:07 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 12:07 p.m., and on TV from 1:00 p.m. to 1:07 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 8:37 p.m. State and District Deputies receive nine minutes, or 36 percent of the time, running until 7:16 a.m. and 12:16 p.m. on radio, and 1:16 p.m. and 8:46 p.m. on TV. Gubernatorial candidates also receive nine minutes, occupying the final block until 7:25 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. on radio, and 1:25 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. on television.
