In brief
Thirty‑three million voters will head to the polls on Sunday to choose between 80‑year‑old Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aiming for a fourth term, and 45‑year‑old Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president. Lula has campaigned on restoring democracy and warning against the then‑prisoner ex‑president, while Bolsonaro promises a tough crackdown on crime, tax cuts and a release of his father under house arrest. The election runs under the shadow of foreign influence accusations, a divided electorate, and rallies that have turned Rio’s beaches and Minas Gerais’ capitals into buzzing show‑cases of support for both camps. The outcome could redefine Brazil’s political trajectory.
On Sunday, 33 million voters will decide whether 80‑year‑old Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or 45‑year‑old Flávio Bolsonaro takes the presidential office.
Lula, who has already served three terms, runs for a fourth non‑consecutive term. His right‑wing opponent is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27‑year prison sentence for attempting to overturn the 2022 election.
Bolsonaro gained a surprise lead in the first round, a development that was hailed by former US president Donald Trump. He has campaigned on restoring order, cutting taxes and freeing his father from house arrest.
Supporters of both sides gathered in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, turning the capital’s Copacabana beach and the Minas Gerais capital into roaring rallies. Lula’s team described the contest as a “battle for democracy” while Bolsonaro’s camp warned of a “Bolsonarismo” threat.
The election also carries international implications, with Lula accusing Washington of meddling and Bolsonaro stressing cooperation with the U.S. to fight criminal gangs and safeguard national sovereignty.
Voters will step into polling stations at 7 a.m. local time, in what could be the most consequential vote in Brazil’s recent history.
