Brazil to stay in BRICS after elections — Russian Federation Council speaker

TURKMENBASY, Turkmenistan, October 7. /TASS/. Brazil will not leave BRICS after the elections as the association benefits all its members, and its leadership should understand this, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.

She called BRICS an "established, globally recognized association" that is gaining strength and momentum, "enjoys authority in the world and plays a very important role."

"And more and more countries are recognizing this and want to become members of BRICS. Whoever comes to power in Brazil cannot fail to understand that participation in BRICS is a great benefit for Brazil because they have gained tremendous opportunities for mutually beneficial international cooperation and for developing their economy, where no one imposes someone else's will, where there is no dictate. This association is built on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. And it seems to me that whoever comes to power - it would be a big mistake if they were to somehow reconsider their participation in BRICS. I am sure that this will not happen because any elected head of state should be guided above all by national interests and the well-being of their people, and BRICS is precisely a benefit for all its members, including Brazil," she said.

Russia, Matviyenko stressed, "never interferes in the internal affairs of any country," proceeding from the premise that the decision regarding the future head of state is up to the people of Brazil. "Of course, we would like to believe that this is exactly what will happen, that foreign manipulators will not interfere in the elections and attempt to change the will of the Brazilian people," she said.

The runoff between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro is scheduled for October 25.