Brazil election headed to runoff as Bolsonaro lead narrows, projection shows
EWZ•With about 65% of votes counted, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro led President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 49.58% to 42.25%, and pollster Datafolha projected a second round. The runoff is scheduled for October 25.
1. Runoff appears likely
With about 65% of votes reported, Flavio Bolsonaro led Lula in Brazil’s presidential election, but neither had crossed the 50% threshold needed to win in the first round. Datafolha projected that the election would proceed to a second round; surveys had shown the candidates roughly even for an October 25 runoff.
2. Economic and political concerns
Voters’ concerns included living costs, household debt, crime and corruption. Brazil’s public debt was above 82% of GDP, while the government forecast growth of 2.0% this year and 2.3% next year. The election also included races for all 513 lower-house seats and two-thirds of the Senate.
