Lula keen to debate Bolsonaro on rebuilding Brazil in 2022 campaign

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a news conference in Brasilia, Brazil October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday that he looks forward to a debate about Brazil's future in next year's presidential campaign, attacking far-right President Jair Bolsonaro without openly declaring his candidacy.

Lula has spent months preparing another run for president, first in private talks https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/back-brasilia-lula-lays-foundations-anti-bolsonaro-coalition-2021-05-07 with party leaders to form a coalition and now, increasingly, at public events where he has highlighted rising poverty and inflation in the pandemic-torn country.