Second Round of Voting Begins in Brazil’s Presidential Election Between Lula and Bolsonaro
The second round of voting has begun in Brazil for the presidential election, featuring Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. In the first round held on October 4, Flavio Bolsonaro led the polls and campaigned in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, promising change, tax cuts, and tough action against crime. Lula described this election as a fight for democracy and national sovereignty, accused foreign interference, and urged voters to choose Brazil’s flag. Kathmandu, 8 Kartik.
Brazil’s presidential election has entered a fiercely contested second round. The contenders are the 80-year-old incumbent leftist president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the 45-year-old right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking his fourth non-consecutive term as president. Flavio Bolsonaro is the son of former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro.
Following his defeat in the 2022 election and subsequent conviction for attempting to seize power through conspiracy, Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence. Flavio Bolsonaro gained significant attention after leading the first round of voting on October 4. Former U.S. President Donald Trump described Flavio’s first round victory as a “very big” win.
On Sunday morning, Flavio Bolsonaro arrived at the polling station in Rio de Janeiro to cast his vote. Speaking to reporters outside, he said, “The time for real change has come.” He was accompanied by his wife, and his supporters appeared highly enthusiastic at final campaign rallies. They expressed confidence that Bolsonaro’s commitments to aggressively combat organized crime, reduce taxes, and cut government spending would bring transformation to Brazil.
During his campaign, Bolsonaro declared, “The time is almost upon us. Only a few hours remain to decide what our nation’s future will look like for the next 30 or 40 years.” He also vowed to seek the release of his father, currently under house arrest due to health issues, from prison. On the eve of the election, Bolsonaro’s supporters held rallies throughout Rio.
Lula’s supporters organized major rallies to boost turnout for the runoff. Addressing a large public gathering at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, Lula framed the election as a matter of national sovereignty. He emphasized that voters must choose between a candidate who kisses Brazil’s flag and one who kisses the American flag. His government has accused the United States of intervening in Brazil’s elections.
Lula and his Workers’ Party have portrayed this contest as a battle for democracy. They argue that Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for conspiring to seize power highlights how the political movement known as “Bolsonarism” poses a threat to Brazil’s democratic institutions.