MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lula da Silva fined for “anticipated” electoral campaigning

The Brazilian president ten months ago called on followers to vote for Dilma

Brazilian Electoral Justice announced it had fined President Lula da Silva for having “anticipated” the campaign for next October presidential election, thus favouring the incumbent candidate and cabinet chief Dilma Rousseff.

The fine imposed by the Superior Electoral Tribunal, TES, is equivalent to 1.500 US dollars and will be appealed by the president’s solicitors announced the government. Until the appeal is not ruled, Lula da Silva is not forced to pay the 1.500 USD.

The fine is the first to be applied by the TES ahead of the October election when Brazilians will be choosing the successor of Lula da Silva who has been in office for two four-year consecutive mandates since January first, 2003.

The fine refers to a political rally that took place in Rio do Janeiro May 2009 when President Lula da Silva called to the hundreds gathered for the opening of a public works “to support and vote for Dilma Rousseff in the coming election”.

The current cabinet chief was proclaimed as the official candidate of the Workers Pary last February and all indicates she will be facing as top competitor Social Democrat Jose Serra, Sao Paulo state governor, who has yet to make official his candidacy.

According to the latest public opinion polls Serra leads with 35% vote intention followed by Dilma Rousseff with 30%, who has been climbing steadily since her official nomination and strong backing from Lula da Silva, the most popular Brazilian president in recent times.

The presidential campaign officially takes off next July 5, thus the May 2009 political rally was considered partisan because it took place long before the official electoral calendar.