Brazil's Presidential Election: Lula and Bolsonaro Face Off in Runoff
Brazilians are voting in a highly unpredictable runoff election between leftist president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The two candidates are neck and neck, with the outcome expected to be decided by a narrow margin in Latin America's largest country.
Lula, the incumbent president, is attempting an unprecedented comeback after losing the first round to Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest for attempting a coup to overturn his 2022 defeat. Bolsonaro has promised to pardon his father and "change the constitution and re-democratise this country," a prospect that has sent chills through those who fear he could follow in his father's authoritarian footsteps.
The runoff campaign has seen both candidates drawing large crowds to their rallies, with Lula focusing on turnout and stoking fears over a return to power by a member of the Bolsonaro family. Bolsonaro, on the other hand, has promised a "iron fist" security policy, including building "mega-prisons" and chemical castration for rapists.
The election has been marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and money laundering against Bolsonaro, as well as violent clashes between supporters of the two candidates. A councillor from Lula's party was injured in an attack by Bolsonaro supporters in northern Minas Gerais state.
Analysts believe that the election will be decided by the small number of voters who identify with neither candidate, and that the outcome could have significant implications for Brazil's democracy and its relationship with the United States.
