The Brazilian presidential election concluded on Sunday with the closing of polling stations. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the leftist president of Brazil, is seeking a non-consecutive fourth term, while Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing senator of Brazil, aims to continue the populist right movement started by his father, Jair Bolsonaro.
Close Competition Between Candidates
This election is expected to place the two main candidates in a tight race. Neither of them seems likely to secure more than 50 percent of the votes to avoid a second round of elections, which will be held on October 25.
Lula and Bolsonaro wrapped up their campaigns on Saturday in the economically powerful state of São Paulo. The 80-year-old Lula concluded his campaign with a tour in São Paulo city, promising to "defeat extreme rightism." Organizers reported that around 150,000 of Lula's supporters attended this rally in Brazil's largest city.
Lula and Bolsonaro's Campaign Plans
Lula has emphasized continuing his Workers' Party programs, which include welfare programs, state development, and income distribution. While voting, he stated: "People must choose between strengthening the democratic regime and barbarism, as well as between progress and backwardness." Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, has served as a senator for the Liberal Party in the state of Rio de Janeiro since 2019. On Saturday, he held a motorcade in the suburbs of São Paulo, holding a portrait of his father while the crowd shouted "mito," meaning "legend," referring to Jair Bolsonaro.
The right-wing Bolsonaro has emphasized strict security policies and tax cuts, criticizing the high cost of living during Lula's time. He stated: "Brazil needs change; Brazil can no longer suffer like this, with high taxes and many murders of women." Bolsonaro's father is currently sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to establish a coup. Flávio Bolsonaro has promised to pardon his father if elected.
Political and Social Developments in Brazil
Lula's team has deemed the Bolsonaro movement a threat to Brazil's sovereignty, pointing to Flávio and Jair's connections with Donald Trump, the former president of the United States. Last year, Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports due to Jair Bolsonaro's coup trial. Trump referred to this case as a "witch hunt."
Flávio Bolsonaro has stated in interviews that he is "more moderate" than his father, but has also indicated that he will be "my compass and reference point." Both Bolsonaro's policies include lax gun control laws and skepticism about human-caused climate change.
Brazil is politically divided, and campaigns have been intensely sharp. Online operations from both sides quickly respond to any mistake, accusation, and rumor, producing AI-generated videos or images for social media.
According to the latest polls, Lula is competing with 46 percent and Bolsonaro with 45 percent in the first round of voting. If they go to the second round, polls indicate that Lula will have 42 percent and Bolsonaro 44 percent. In 2022, Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro by only 1.8 percent.
In addition to voting for the presidency, 160 million registered voters in Brazil will also elect other lawmakers, governors, and some senators.
