Lula takes to the streets as Flavio leans on Big Tech in Brazil's runoff polls - News Analysis - For past one week, streets of Brazil - from impoverished towns of Northeast to rich metropolises of Southeast - have turned into sea of red with millions of supporters of President Lula da Silva walking in his support ahead of October 25 presidential runoff. In Sao Paulo, South America's financial capital, around million people marched with banners of Workers' Party and placards last Sunday demanding protection of public education, health and transport. Similar rallies taking place daily in other cities as Lula prepares to take on his far-right opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro. Demonstrators, mostly young students and workers, rallying around issues that directly affect their lives. Rio-based commentator Miguel do Rosario sees scale of mobilisation as desire for different future. "Streets have sent clear message: young Brazilians want to dream, and they are proposing alliance with future to President," Rosario said.
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Concrete policies - Amid tough contest, Lula trying to turn street power into concrete policy changes. On Thursday, Brazilian Senate approved Bill that ended six-day work schedule, reduced maximum working week to 40 hours and guaranteed two days paid rest each week. "Ending six-day schedule means more time to rest, spend more time with family, watch children grow up, take care of oneself and enjoy life. Those who work so hard to build Brazil also deserve time to live. This is victory for workers," Lula said after Senate approved his pet project. While Lula is campaigning on expanding workers' rights and social protections, Bolsonaro proposing sweeping constitutional overhaul that could reshape Brazil's institutions. He has said he would use conservative Congress elected October 4 to change Constitution and redemocratise country. Critics see it as euphemism for doing away with existing checks and balances.
Analytically, Brazil's street mobilisation versus Big Tech-driven campaign by Flavio Bolsonaro - accused of using Meta and Instagram to target voters with fake news, similar to complaints in India's SIR protests about social media instigation - mirrors India's own Jantar Mantar to Central Park shift. For India, which faces similar work-hours debate - Infosys Narayana Murthy's 70-hour week comment - Brazil's 40-hour week law shows worker-led development model alternative.
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Globally, commercial goods ban in Gaza and mine warfare in Hormuz show how economic tools become weapons, similar to US using overcapacity probes an' tariffs against India.
Tags: #Lula #BrazilElections #FlavioBolsonaro #BigTech #Gaza #Houthi #StraitOfHormuz #WorkersRights #GlobalSouth #ProtestPolitics