MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ciro Gomes supports Lula

Former centre left candidate Ciro Gomes announced his full, “unrestricted and enthusiastic” support for Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in the October 27th run off for the Brazilian presidency.

"Lula is who really represents the needs of the country", said Gomes who received 12% of the votes in last Sunday's election, sufficient to ensure Mr. da Silva's 47% the needed 50% plus one.

"The Brazilian people chose for the second round two candidates: one that repeats the current economic model and another that is very close to us in their criticism to that model", said Mr. Gomes during a press conference in Rio do Janeiro.

Mr. Gomes revealed that the same night of the first round "Lula rang me up and requested our support. I said I was at his orders but before I must consult with the party, and our Popular Socialist unanimously approved a resolution offering that support. It's up to Lula to decide how he will instrument our contribution".

"Nothing more coherent for a candidacy as mine, unable to be present in the run offs, than to support Mr. Lula", underlined Mr. Gomes.