Why might a political party promote a former leader during an election?

Political parties often promote a former leader during an election primarily to leverage their existing popularity. A former leader may have built a strong personal brand and a loyal following while in office, which can benefit the party by attracting voters who have a positive association with that individual. This strategy can help to galvanize support and synthesize the party's message with the goodwill generated by the former leader's previous accomplishments and public image.

The other options suggest tactics that are less effective or may not resonate as well with voters. For instance, avoiding discussion of current issues or creating distractions from negative coverage can ultimately harm a party's credibility, as voters generally prefer transparency and engagement with the issues that matter to them. Limiting campaign expenses is a practical consideration, but it does not directly relate to the effectiveness of a former leader’s promotion in generating electoral support.