Polling stations have opened across Brazil on Sunday for a presidential election that once again pits left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against the right-wing Bolsonaro family. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is the conservative candidate in this high-stakes contest.
Approximately 160 million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots in Sunday’s election, which also includes races for lawmakers, governors, and senators. If no presidential candidate secures more than 50 percent of the valid votes, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election scheduled for October 25.
Most opinion polls indicate a tightly contested race, with Lula holding a slight edge over his opponent. The gap is expected to narrow further if a second round becomes necessary.
Lula, representing the Workers’ Party, is campaigning for a fourth nonconsecutive term at the age of 80. Having previously served as president from 2003 to 2010, he aims to extend his signature social programs designed to combat inequality. Flavio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old member of the Liberal Party, has focused his platform on a tough approach to crime and public insecurity. He has also pledged to strengthen ties with the United States under President Donald Trump.
The election takes place against a backdrop of significant political turbulence. Flavio’s father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his involvement in a coup attempt following his narrow defeat to Lula in 2022. The conviction of the far-right leader and several military officers has sparked debates regarding the resilience of Brazilian democracy, renewing memories of the 21-year military dictatorship backed by the United States.
Key issues dominating the campaign include crime, insecurity, and the rising cost of living. Corruption and concerns about foreign intervention in domestic affairs have also weighed heavily on voters. According to a recent survey by Quaest, 31 percent of respondents identified violence as their primary concern, followed by corruption at 20 percent, the economy at 19 percent, and healthcare at 12 percent.
Andre Pagliarini, an assistant professor of history and international studies at Louisiana State University and author of a book on Lula, told Al Jazeera that the election reflects fundamentally opposing interpretations of Brazil’s recent history. He noted that while Lula represents the consolidation of democracy since the end of the dictatorship, the Bolsonaro family argues that democratic institutions established since that era are flawed and unresponsive.
This reporting includes contributions from Brian Osgood.
Jair in prison yet his son is running? Talk about a dynasty refusing to fade. Brazil’s democracy is being tested hard.
The economic anxiety is palpable. My neighbors are terrified of prices rising, not just worried about crime.