Caiado brings STF crisis into campaign, says a ‘rotten faction’ has run Brazil for 20 years

Ronaldo Caiado is taking the crisis surrounding Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court directly into the presidential campaign. Starting Friday, his campaign will air videos attacking the court and urging voters to search for his name.

In the campaign video, Caiado says the country has been controlled by a “rotten faction” for 20 years. He points to what he describes as a serious and alarming allegation involving the Supreme Court, along with scandals in the presidency and Congress.

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And now this extremely serious, appalling allegation in the Supreme Court. There is a scandal in the presidency, in Congress and now another one in the Supreme Court. What is happening? What contracts are these? What relationships are these?

“What is happening? What contracts are these? What relationships are these?” Caiado asks in the video. He says Brazilians have the right to explanations and argues that his rivals, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, will not provide them. He adds that both men must also explain themselves.

The campaign’s move follows revelations about the relationship between former banker Daniel Vorcaro and Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court. Since Tuesday, politicians and presidential candidates have intensified their criticism of the court, including calls for impeachment.

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We have the right to explanations. Lula and Flávio will not provide those answers. They also have to explain themselves.