Brazil’s presidential candidates Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro held final rallies on Saturday, drawing thousands of supporters in a last-ditch effort to sway voters before Sunday’s closely contested run-off election. The vote will determine whether the South American nation continues with its current left-wing leadership or shifts toward the right.
Lula, the former president seeking a non-consecutive fourth term, addressed a crowd at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. Wearing a red hat and waving a Brazilian flag from a campaign truck, he urged voters to consider the country’s international alignment. He contrasted his own patriotism with that of his opponent, stating, “The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag,” a reference to Flavio Bolsonaro’s ties to US President Donald Trump.
Close Polling in Final Days
The election remains extremely tight as it enters the final hours. In the first round, Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, secured 47 percent of the vote. Lula followed closely with 45 percent. Recent surveys indicate the race is effectively tied.
A CNT/MDA survey released on Saturday showed Flavio Bolsonaro leading with 46.3 percent of the vote, compared to 45 percent for Lula. This represents a slight widening of the gap compared to the previous week, when the senator led 46.8 percent to 45.9 percent. Despite the narrow margins, both campaigns are mobilizing their bases for the decisive Sunday vote.
Deep Political Divisions
On the same day, Flavio Bolsonaro’s supporters gathered in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Hundreds of motorcyclists wearing Brazil’s yellow national football shirts joined the rally. The campaign has highlighted deep divisions over economic policy, crime, and the nation’s political direction.
Flavio Bolsonaro has pledged to address these issues by creating hundreds of thousands of prison spots and cutting government spending. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, served as president from 2019 to 2022 before losing to Lula. The former president is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after the 2022 election.
Supporters of the senator argue that a change in direction is necessary. Ebert Dorigo, a supporter in Minas Gerais, told news agency AFP that Lula’s Workers’ Party encourages dependence on government welfare. “The values we uphold are nation and family. Our country is divided today because, due to welfare-based policies, some people … haven’t grasped that improvement and achievement come only through hard work,” Dorigo said.
The final debate on Friday saw both candidates adopt a calmer tone, though they continued to trade accusations regarding the country’s economic difficulties and their respective records. For many voters, the choice remains difficult. Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, expressed the frustration felt by some citizens. “If there were any other candidate, that would be a better option,” she said. “But we’re stuck choosing between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil.”
Source: Al Jazeera
