Key facts
- Inflation concerns are widespread, with over two-thirds of respondents in an August poll reporting a decline in purchasing power.
- Bolsonaro wants to reduce and stabilize public debt to bring interest rates closer to international levels.
- Lula has pledged to implement measures to allow for steady cuts in borrowing costs and keep inflation under control.
- Bolsonaro has pledged a heavy-handed approach to criminals, promising maximum-security prisons and chemical castration for serious sexual offenses.
- Lula wants to increase the federal prison system's capacity to hold gang leaders.
- Both Lula's circle and Bolsonaro face scrutiny in high-profile corruption cases.
- Public debt has risen by more than 10 percentage points during Lula's current term, reaching 82.9% of gross domestic product.
- Bolsonaro has promised to ramp up fiscal adjustment, targeting 1.5% of GDP improvement in the primary balance within 18 months.
- Lula has reiterated commitments to improve Brazil's primary balance targeting an effective surplus near 1.3% of GDP by 2030.
- Bolsonaro has courted Trump and other right-wing allies globally.
- Lula has campaigned for a foreign policy based on multilateralism and stronger ties with the Mercosur bloc and BRICS nations.
Brazilians headed to the ballot box on Sunday for a runoff vote pitting right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro against leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The campaign has been driven by several key concerns for voters. Inflation remains a major issue, with annual inflation at 4.58% through September, above the central bank's target. Lula has pledged measures to cut borrowing costs and control inflation, while Bolsonaro aims to reduce public debt to stabilize interest rates and steer inflation toward the target. Crime is another significant concern, despite a falling homicide rate, with Bolsonaro advocating a tough approach and Lula focusing on increasing prison capacity and addressing root causes. Corruption allegations have also surfaced against both candidates' circles. Public finances are under pressure, with debt rising and interest rates remaining high. Bolsonaro has promised fiscal adjustment, while Lula aims for a primary surplus by 2030. Foreign policy also emerged as a prominent issue, with Bolsonaro seeking to strengthen ties with right-wing allies and rebuild relations with Argentina, the US, and Israel, while Lula advocates for multilateralism and stronger ties with Mercosur and BRICS nations.