Brazilian Deputy Claims Campaign Relies on 'Vote Buying,' Then Says Remark Was Misinterpreted

Federal Deputy Sargento Gonçalves (PL-RN) of Brazil has ignited controversy with a statement made during a radio interview in Natal, where he declared that his campaign strategy was based on "buying votes." The politician, speaking on the program "Contraponto" with journalist Diógenes Dantas, explained his approach to winning over voters. "I believe that the campaign, for me, due to the style of campaign and mandate I have, is indeed a consequence of the work developed on the basis of vote buying," he said.

When questioned by the interviewer about his explicit mention of "vote buying," Gonçalves responded, "Exactly. Those from Rio Grande do Norte know that, unfortunately, it is still an evil that occupies the politics of our state." The deputy, who is also the rapporteur for a proposal to increase penalties for criminal practices involving innocent third parties for fraud or dissimulation, made these remarks.

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I believe that the campaign, for me, due to the style of campaign and mandate I have, is indeed a consequence of the work developed on the basis of vote buying.

Following the interview, Gonçalves was contacted by Estadão but did not respond by the time of publication. He later released a video on social media, alleging that his statement was taken out of context and used "cowardly" by the media. According to Gonçalves, his intention during the interview was to argue that he does *not* work "on the basis of vote buying."

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Exactly. Those from Rio Grande do Norte know that, unfortunately, it is still an evil that occupies the politics of our state.