Brazil's presidential candidates intensify attacks as vote approaches
Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and challenger Flávio Bolsonaro are exchanging accusations in the final days before Brazil's closely contested election, with polls indicating a possible runoff.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his main rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, have escalated personal attacks as Brazil heads toward a Sunday election that polls suggest could end in a runoff on October 25. Both candidates declined to appear on a televised debate, leaving many of the country’s 160 million voters without a direct comparison of the contenders.
The race pits the 80-year-old left-wing incumbent against the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who has drawn support from evangelical voters and is aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he is watching the election closely. A poll director said the final week will decide which undecided voters can still be swayed.
Voters expressed mixed motivations. One fish-market manager in Juiz de Fora said he supports Lula because of his social-welfare programs, while a cell-phone shop owner in the same city said he prefers Flávio Bolsonaro for his promised tough stance on crime.
Recent controversies have included rumors that Flávio Bolsonaro might alter the status of Brazil’s patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, which he denied. Lula also faced criticism after remarks about men’s reluctance to undergo prostate exams and women’s familiarity with gynecological exams, comments that Flávio Bolsonaro labeled sexist.
Lula’s campaign highlighted his administration’s record on reducing inflation, unemployment and Amazon deforestation, and he announced additional social-welfare payments and a ban on sports betting in the days before the vote. Party president Edinho Silva said only Lula has the political clout to implement reforms.
Flávio Bolsonaro, who is under investigation for alleged corruption linked to financing a biopic about his father, maintains confidence in a first-round victory and has pledged to remove Lula from office if elected.
Election officials ordered the removal of posts containing unverified claims about the saint, underscoring the heightened scrutiny of misinformation as the country prepares to vote.