The former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva who is currently imprisoned with a 12 year sentence for corruption has officially withhdrawn from the presidental election. The workers` party PT replaced him with former mayor of  São Paulo, Fernando Haddad. While Lula headed the opinion polls with 37,3% of the popular vote, Haddad merely gains 9% of the voters`support.

Meanwhile, Lulas biggest competitor, far-right presidential candidate Jair Boslonaro, was stabbed last Thursday during a campaigning event in Luiz de Fora. The attack resulted in a rise of his support from 26% to 30% of the popular vote. However, due to his severe injuries he needs to go undergo a second mayor surgery which is likely to keep him from engaging in further campaigning events up until the election on October 7th.