brasilia brazil leftist workers party pt approve resolution saturday formally support candidacy former president luiz inacio lula da silva nation leave continue rally around leader despite corruption conviction arrive 2018 election year candidacy lula consolidate way belong pt belong brazilian people read resolution draft party national committee two-day meet sao paulo brazil large city must defend candidacy systemic attack coup monger go use mean stop people express elections lula former union leader run brazil 2003 2011 convict july accept 3.7 million reais 1.12 million bribe engineer firm exchange public work contract appeal court fail overturn conviction jan. 24 bar run elections schedule october 2018. even conviction lula remain beloved much brazil work class bring millions poverty generous social welfare program datafolha poll release dec. show lula get least 34 percent vote presidential election hold today double support near rival dare find lula guilty prove political nature entire process pt resolution read 3.29 reais brazil 's workers party formalize support ex-president lula