What Voters Should Know About Brazil’s Election as Bolsonaro Faces Lula in a Tight Runoff
A close and uncertain contest
Brazilians are voting in a runoff between Lula, 81, and Flávio Bolsonaro, 45. Bolsonaro won the first round, with the gap between the candidates the narrowest ever recorded in that stage: less than 2% of the vote.
The candidates’ contrasting records
Voters described sharply different views of the candidates. Nuno Rau, a 63-year-old architect and writer, said he had criticisms of Lula but saw no way to choose Bolsonaro, whom he associated with risks to social rights and democracy. Moreira backed Bolsonaro’s proposal for chemical castration for rapists and called justice Alexandre de Moraes a “dictator.”
Undecided voters may decide
Political scientist Helcimara de Souza Telles said Lula’s campaign had failed to connect with the population in the first round, but that civil society movements had since driven his growth. The race is still expected to end with a narrow margin.
Regional stakes beyond Brazil
Telles also said Trump wants to “colonise” Latin America in pursuit of US interests. The runoff therefore carries significance beyond Brazil, as well as deciding who will lead the country.
Key points
- Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round by less than 2% of the vote.
- Record abstention in the first round disproportionately affected Lula’s voters.
- The runoff may be decided by voters who identify with neither candidate.