The second round of the Brazilian presidential election will take place on Sunday between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival, Flávio Bolsonaro. This election will not only affect the fate of the two candidates but also the future of the largest democracy in Latin America.
Close Competition Between Lula and Bolsonaro
Lula, who will turn 81 next week and is seeking his fourth presidential term, faces tough competition from Flávio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In the first round of the election held in early October, Flávio Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the votes compared to 45 percent for Lula, indicating that this election could have a close outcome.
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Implications of the Election for Brazil and the Region
The victory of either candidate could maintain Brazil as a leftist stronghold in Latin America or add it to the group of right-wing governments loyal to Donald Trump. Although Trump has not directly supported Flávio Bolsonaro, the presence of the White House in this election is clearly felt.
Lula's party has also accused the technology company Meta of interfering in the election, claiming that it has unfairly limited Lula's content on WhatsApp and Instagram. While Meta has denied this claim, it stated that some of Lula's ads were mistakenly deactivated due to technical errors.
Recent Datafolha polling shows Flávio Bolsonaro with 51 percent of the votes against 49 percent for Lula, predicting a close result considering the margin of error. Flávio Bolsonaro told his opponent in a televised debate, "Brazil will retire you."
Bolsonaro has emphasized promises including improving purchasing power and fighting crime in his campaign. He has also pointed to corruption in Lula's government and addressed his previous conviction, while Bolsonaro himself is under investigation for corruption.
The result of the first round of the election seems to have energized the left wing, and Lula continues to hold large rallies in support of democracy in Brazil. Lula is also trying to garner public support by implementing social programs and increasing financial aid to poor families.
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