Brazil's ex-judge Moro not ruling out presidential bid

If that does not occur could seek a Senate seat for Union Brazil standing for Sao Paulo, Brazil's richest state. Political analysts said that his withdrawal from the race would help Bolsonaro, as the 8% of voters who support him min early polls would never vote for Lula.

Brazil's graft-fighting ex-judge Sergio Moro is not ruling out a presidential bid, according to a statement on Friday, one day after he said he was no longer a candidate for the Podemos party and joined the right-wing Union Brazil. "I have not given up on anything," he said at a news conference.

Moro said he will continue to work for a political alternative to the "extremes" offered to voters in the October election that is shaping up to be a highly polarized race between far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He did not give details of his political plans, but dismissed the option of running for the lower chamber of Congress.

That leaves open a possibility that Moro could still emerge as a presidential candidate for Union Brazil, which has yet to nominate someone, and other center right parties looking for a third candidate between Bolsonaro and former president Lula. If that does not occur could seek a Senate seat for Union Brazil standing for Sao Paulo, Brazil's richest state.

Political analysts said that his withdrawal from the race would help Bolsonaro, as the 8% of voters who support him min early polls would never vote for Lula. Moro made his name leading the massive 'Car Wash' corruption probe that jailed some of Brazil's political and business elite - including Lula.

He then joined Bolsonaro's government as justice minister, before quitting after falling out with the president alleging he was interfering in the federal police to shield his sons from corruption investigations. Bolsonaro has lost public support over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation, and faces a tough re-election fight. Lula would get 43% of first-round votes, compared with 26% for Bolsonaro if the election were held today, pollster Datafolha reported last week.