Brazil far-right politician enters presidential race

Brazil’s presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro holds ups his hands with his wife Michelle and son Flavio (Leo Correa/AP)

A supporter of Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro wears a mask of U.S. President Donald Trump before the national convention of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 22, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro holds a child during the national convention of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 22, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Brazil’s presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro holds ups his hands with his wife Michelle and son Flavio (Leo Correa/AP)

A supporter of Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro wears a mask of U.S. President Donald Trump before the national convention of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 22, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro holds a child during the national convention of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 22, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Brazil’s presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro holds ups his hands with his wife Michelle and son Flavio (Leo Correa/AP)

Independent.ie Newsdesk Twitter Email

July 23 2018 11:08 AM

Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro has formally announced his candidacy for Brazil’s presidential election.

Sunday’s announcement saw Mr Bolsonaro join a race in which he is currently polling second after jailed ex-president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who is in jail for corruption and will likely be barred from running.

Thousands of supporters wearing Bolsonaro shirts showed up at the rally cheering, honking air horns and waving flags.

Supporters of presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro (Leo Correa/AP)

Many mimicked guns with their fingers, a hand sign that the former military officer has made popular.

Mr Bolsonaro told the crowd he would change the status quo if he won the election.

He spoke about helping police to crack down on crime, filling his Cabinet with military officers and taking Brazil out of the Paris climate accord.

Mr Bolsonaro previously outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments but his supporters see him as a saviour in a crime-ridden country, with many referring to him as the "Brazilian Trump".

The candidate has not nominated a vice president to run with him yet.