Key facts
- Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro are the two leading candidates in Brazil's presidential election.
- Polls indicate a likely runoff election between Lula and Bolsonaro.
- Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio's father and former president, is not on the ballot but has endorsed his son's candidacy via an AI-generated avatar.
- Lula served two previous terms as president and is credited with poverty reduction programs.
- Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator, advocates for tougher crime policies and deregulation.
- A financial fraud scandal involving a jailed banker has recently become a prominent issue for voters.
Brazilians are voting on Sunday in a general election where the two front-runners for the presidency are Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula, the incumbent veteran left-wing leader, is being challenged by right-winger Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Polls suggest a runoff election is highly likely, with Lula holding a slight lead over Bolsonaro. However, a significant percentage of voters remain undecided just days before the election, meaning an outright win for either candidate cannot be entirely ruled out. The election's outcome could also influence Brazil's relationship with the United States, with Lula having previously stated that Brazil does not fit into anyone's backyard.
Lula, 80, is running for his third term as president and is credited with lifting millions out of poverty during his previous terms through programs like Bolsa Família. Despite leaving office with high approval ratings, his party was later involved in corruption scandals, and Lula himself spent time in prison on charges he denies.
Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is a senator and is campaigning on a platform broadly continuing his father's legacy. He advocates for tougher crime policies, including longer sentences and looser gun laws, and has courted the agricultural industry and evangelicals. He has also expressed a desire to join US-led anti-crime initiatives.
An AI-generated avatar of Jair Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2023, endorsed his son's candidacy, though his lawyers may have denied permission for its use. Jair Bolsonaro is not on the ballot due to health issues and restrictions on public statements.
While crime and security were previously the primary concerns for voters, a recent scandal involving a jailed banker accused of financial fraud has gained prominence in the weeks leading up to the election.