BRAZIL’S Workers Party confirmed Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva as its presidential candidate today as it launched its programme for government for October’s elections.

The party’s seven-point plan was presented in front of the Curitiba Police Headquarters, where Lula has been held since he started a 12-year prison sentence on trumped-up corruption charges earlier this month.

Documents detailing Lula’s governmental plan will be subject to a series of public consultations with the Brazilian people.

Topics include inequality reduction, economic and environmental policies and the provision of public services in measures to improve citizens’ lives.

Economist and Perseu Abramo Foundation president Marcio Pochmann said the Workers Party plan, which has been developed over 18 months,  would block “the dismantling of the nation and sale of national assets.”

He said that programme would be “implemented democratically” from January 2019 and tackle high levels of poverty and growing unemployment.

Despite his imprisonment Lula remains ahead in polls for the presidential elections, but the right-wing coup administration is likely to challenge his candidacy.