Bolsonaro favourite to win: What Brazil’s first round of elections tells us
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing candidate, led incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s first-round election. Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the vote, compared with Lula’s 45.1 percent, a result that differed from opinion poll expectations.
Analyst Oliver Stuenkel said Lula may struggle to attract voters who supported other candidates. Those candidates collectively received nearly 8 percent, and Stuenkel said many of their supporters are centre-right.
Lula’s supporters have also pointed to social media as an area where his campaign needs to improve, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Monica Yanakiew. Meanwhile, members of the Bolsonaro family made gains elsewhere: Michelle Bolsonaro won a Senate seat in the Federal District, and Carlos Bolsonaro secured one in Santa Catarina.
Some experts say hostility toward Lula’s Workers’ Party has helped the Bolsonaro family build political support. The run-off will decide whether Bolsonaro or Lula becomes Brazil’s next president.
Key points
- Flavio Bolsonaro led Lula 47 percent to 45.1 percent in the first round.
- The presidential run-off is scheduled for October 25.
- Michelle and Carlos Bolsonaro also won Senate seats.