Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro hold final rallies as Brazil faces tight runoff
A CNT/MDA poll released Saturday places the senator ahead by 1.3 points, with a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points, as voting begins Sunday.
By Olga Kaur ·
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro concluded their final days of campaigning on Saturday, gathering supporters in separate states ahead of Sunday's runoff election. The two candidates addressed large crowds after a week of intense political activity that tested voter loyalty on both sides of the aisle.
The CNT/MDA poll released Saturday puts Flavio Bolsonaro at 46.3 percent and Lula at 45 percent. A week earlier, the same survey showed Bolsonaro leading by 46.8 percent to 45.9 percent. The margin of error for these estimates is 2.2 percentage points, a range that statistically encompasses a tie.
Lula, 80 years old, spoke from a campaign truck at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. He wore a red hat and waved a Brazilian flag while addressing hundreds of people. He framed the choice against his rival's relationship with US President Donald Trump. "The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag," Lula said.
Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, held a rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The event featured hundreds of motorcyclists wearing yellow national football shirts. Ebert Dorigo, a supporter, told the news agency AFP that Lula's Workers' Party had encouraged dependence on government welfare. "The values we uphold are nation and family," Dorigo said, arguing that Brazil needs a change in direction.
The race determines whether Brazil retains its current left-wing government or joins a regional shift to the right. Lula is seeking a fourth, non-consecutive term. Bolsonaro has pledged to add hundreds of thousands of prison places and cut government spending. His father, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.
Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, described the voting decision to AFP. "If there were any other candidate, that would be a better option. But we're stuck choosing between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil," she said.
The candidates participated in a final debate on Friday where they traded accusations over economic difficulties and past records. The campaign has highlighted deep divisions over crime, economic policy, and the country's political future.
Source: Al Jazeera
