Paulinho da Força backs Augusto Cury: ‘I can’t take this polarization anymore’

Paulinho da Força, a federal lawmaker and president of Brazil’s Solidariedade party, has declared his support for Augusto Cury of Avante, saying he can no longer tolerate the country’s political polarization.

In a video published Monday, Paulinho used Cury’s campaign slogan and said he would not vote for either Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party or Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party. He said he had been considering casting a blank or invalid vote until a candidate appeared who represented his views.

“I think he can represent what Brazil needs, which is to end this polarization and make Brazil a country for everyone,” Paulinho said.

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I can’t take this polarization anymore.

The endorsement follows a rise in Cury’s polling numbers. The writer had registered 2% support in recent months, but reached 8% in the latest Datafolha poll.

Solidariedade is part of a federation with the Democratic Renewal Party, and the two parties chose to remain neutral in this year’s elections, allowing individual members to support whichever candidate they prefer. At the state level, Paulinho has already backed the reelection of São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas of the Republicans. He was also approached by members of Lula’s party about running for governor to complicate the contest, later launched a Senate bid and then withdrew. A formal event to announce his support for Cury is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m.

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I think he can represent what Brazil needs, which is to end this polarization and make Brazil a country for everyone.