Amidst the presidential pre-campaign, the leaked audio of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) asking for money from former banker Daniel Vorcaro, arrested amidst the extinct Banco Master scandal, was not able to wear down the image of the Bolsonarist candidate and guarantee a quiet dispute for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in the re-election. Political strategists evaluate that the scandal occurred too early in the presidential race, giving Flávio time to recover in the dispute against the PT candidate. Moreover, the difference between the two candidates, shown in the voting intention polls after the disclosure of the conversations between the PL senator and Vorcaro, was not so large. Marketeers say that voters are still not focused on the electoral dispute and the effects of the audio may not be as severe as initially thought.
The audio was the subject of debate in recent political forums, including the Esfera Forum, which took place over the weekend on the paulista coast. The discussions involved ministers, parliamentarians, businesspeople, and marketeers, who analyzed the situation and predicted that Flávio may recover in the electoral race. The Datafolha survey, released on Friday, showed Lula with a four-point advantage in a possible second round against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The advantage is considered small for those closely following the pre-campaign and may change as the elections progress.
In the political forums, strategists evaluated that the audio will not be a “decisive fact” in the electoral race, but rather one of the several scandals that may wear down Flávio Bolsonaro’s image. Many political analysts question whether the electorate is still not focused on the electoral dispute and if the effects of the audio can be reversed with the help of other factors, such as Flávio’s electoral campaign. Allies of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva say that the scenario was more comfortable if these surveys had not been released so early, which may have given one of the Bolsonarist candidates space in the electorate.
It is necessary to remember that the electoral race is still far from its end and many things can change until then. The electorate may focus more on the dispute and the effects of the audio may be perceived. However, so far, the leaked audio of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro does not seem to have been enough to wear down the image of the Bolsonarist candidate and guarantee a quiet dispute for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
