Brazil vote approaches with Lula and Bolsonaro polling in close race
EWZ•Lula is expected to narrowly lead Brazil’s first-round presidential vote but may not win the majority needed to avoid a runoff. An Atlas poll showed Lula at 47.6% and Flavio Bolsonaro at 47.7% for a likely October 25 runoff.
1. Runoff race tightens
Brazil’s presidential campaign is nearing its close ahead of Sunday’s vote. Lula is expected to top the first round among 13 candidates, but polls suggest he may fall short of the majority of valid votes needed to avoid a runoff against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
2. Voter concerns
The cost of living, household debt and crime have weighed on voters, while corruption concerns have grown amid the Banco Master investigation. A Quaest poll published Monday put undecided voters at 5% of the electorate.
3. Campaign disputes
Lula has announced measures including a more generous welfare program, debt relief policies and a crackdown on online betting. Flavio Bolsonaro has promised to build five supermax prisons, and is under investigation over alleged money laundering tied to the Banco Master case.
