Lula celebrates Brazil Communist Party anniversary

Former Brazilian president and likely candidate to run in elections later this year Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday attended a rally to celebrate the centenary of Brazil's Communist Party.

The Communist Party has announced its support for Lula, who leaders the Workers' Party, for the presidential vote in October. It had provided the same backing when he secured a historic triumph for Brazil's left-wing political class in 2002.

The rally in Niterói, a neighbouring city to Rio de Janeiro, reunited many left-wing political figures, from congressmen to former mayors and governors. Thousands waited eagerly to hear the former president speak.

A recently published poll by pollster Datafolha showed Lula with a 43% lead, compared to 26% support for Bolsonaro, keeping him second in the race.