Brazil's Workers' Party still backs Lula for president

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In Brazil, the Workers' Party is still standing firmly behind its favorite candidate – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, despite his corruption conviction upheld by an appeals court on Wednesday.

The political party says Lula should once again lead the nation. But in order to do that, the former president has some legal challenges to overcome.

The day after a court ruling that could keep the former Brazilian president out of this year's election, his party remained defiant and gathered some of its top leadership to reaffirm that Lula is their candidate.

"We don't have a Plan B," said Gleisi Hoffmann, president of the Workers' Party. "Lula is our candidate for the 2018 elections."

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) reacts next to senator Gleisi Hoffmann during a news conference after being convicted on corruption charges, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Lula once again proclaimed his innocence and affirmed his ambition to be the president of Brazil for a third time.

"I don't want to sound arrogant but I want to tell you that I want to be the candidate to win the elections and govern this country," he said.

According to Brazilian law, convicted politicians cannot run for office, but the situation is not clear-cut.

Lula could be allowed to run for office in October by filing appeals that would drag out a final settlement of his case beyond election day. A consequence of that scenario, however, is the likelihood of even more political instability in Brazil.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's former president, speaks during a Workers' Party (PT) executive committee meeting at the Central Workers Union (CTU) headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil,‍ Jan. 25, 2018.

The director-general of the Regional Electoral Court in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul said there's a risk the office of president could remain empty if Lula were to win the election before a final decision is made on his right to be a candidate.

"In this case, if there are pending appeals, the Superior Elections Court could not proclaim the results of the ballot, and then the election would be suspended," said Antonio Augusto da Cunha.

So far, this is little more than speculation. Brazilian political forces are still trying to organize their strategies amid much uncertainty.

"If Lula is not a candidate, certainly Brazil's left wing loses because he is the great name in this camp. But actually it's not clear who wins and who loses in this scenario," said Marco Aurelio Nogueira, a political science professor at Sao Paulo State University.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives at the metallurgical trade union while the Brazilian court decides on his appeal in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Jan. 24, 2018. /Reuters Photo

For the last couple of decades Lula has been a defining figure in Brazil's politics. Election watchers say this is likely to continue – whether he's on the ballot or not.

Brazil court approves seizure of Lula's passport

A Brazilian court on Thursday approved the seizure of Lula's passport, the Justice Ministry said.

The decision came on the eve of a planned trip by Lula to Africa, and a day after appellate court judges voted to uphold Lula's convictions.

Lula's lawyer Cristiano Zanin said the former president's passport would be handed in on Friday, but called the decision "shocking" and an unnecessary restriction on his freedom of movement. In a statement, he said that the appellate court had been informed of Lula's trip to Africa and his plans to return to Brazil on Jan 29.

"He won't travel now," Lula spokesman Jose Chrispiniano said, adding that the former leader had planned to attend an African Union conference in Ethiopia.

Justice Minister Torquoato Jardim, who was informed of the decision by the federal police chief, recommended that Lula be informed of the decision to avoid any problems, the ministry said.

Lula could be arrested as soon as judges make a decision on a final appeal in his case, which is expected to occur in at most two to three months.

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