Brazil's Haddad Extends Support at 23% of Voter Intention: Poll

New polls conducted by Brazil’s BTG Pactual research company released Monday shows Fernando Haddad, the Workers’ Party candidate for the presidency, extending his support to 23 percent, increasing by 7 percent since the last survey by the same company a week ago.

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Haddad still in the second place, as most polls show him, behind far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro with the same 33 percent of the voter intention, which the company said remains the same as last week’s polling.

Ciro Gomes remains in the third place lagging behind the leading candidate at 10 percent of the vote after falling 4 percent n the latest polls.

Since being confirmed as the presidential candidate for a left-wing coalition of socialist and communist parties in Brazil, after former President Lula transfers the candidacy to him due to the legal impasse, Haddad grew more than 12 points in the polls from just 9 percent of voter intention.

Polls suggest that the race will go to the second round between Haddad and Bolsonaro in which the leftist candidate could pull a narrow victory capitalizing on the massive popularity of his ally and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Haddad says his government plan revolves around two emergency pillars: jobs and education. To create more jobs and boost the economy, the former Minister of Education and mayor of Sao Paulo stressed the need for tax and bank reforms favoring the poor and middle class. The move also envisages a greater capacity for public budgets, allowing federal, state and municipalities to spend more on job creation programs.

To improve public education, Haddad said his administration's priority would be to increase investment in teachers and underperforming public schools. He mentioned that part of his plan includes ideas and initiatives put forth by Lula.

Many legal experts believe, in accordance with Brazil's constitution, that Lula, who has easily led all presidential election polls, shouldn't have been prevented from participating in the elections until all of his legal appeals have been exhausted.