Brazilian footballer Romario to run for Rio de Janeiro mayorNovember 7, 2011 - 12:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Legendary Barcelona and Brazil striker Romario, currently a Brazilian lawmaker, is to stand for election as mayor of Rio de Janeiro next year, according to press reports. "A month ago I ruled out any possibility of standing for election but several local councilors have since told me that it would be a good thing if I did," Romario was quoted as saying by O Globo. However, Romario will have his work cut out to win the backing of his Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), who have already given their support to the incumbent mayor Eduardo Paes, of the centrist PMDB. "There is no chance (for Romario). We have agreed to give our support to Eduardo Paes," Alexandre Cardoso, the president of the PSB in Rio, told O Globo. The 1994 World Cup winner says he will accept the decision of his party if they refuse to endorse his candidature, but added that he will not support Paes. Romario has said that he will make improving preparations for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil will host, and defending the rights of disabled people the focal points of his manifesto if he does stand. In September, the 45-year-old said Brazil's 2014 World Cup organizers had "a lot of problems" due to delays in construction work, AFP reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |