Brazil's presidential election leads to runoff after Bolsonaro tops first round
The BBC reported that Senator Flávio Bolsonaro secured 47% of the vote against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula’s 45% in Brazil’s first-round presidential election on 24 September, triggering a runoff scheduled for 25 October. Al Jazeera said the candidates wrapped up their campaigns with polls showing Lula’s lead narrowing. A Datafolha survey cited by Al Jazeera earlier gave Lula a two-point advantage in a simulated runoff.
BBC’s own poll placed both candidates around 40% of the vote. The Guardian noted the close contest between the incumbent and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, noting possible domestic and foreign policy implications. Yahoo reported that Bolsonaro launched his bid amid ongoing corruption investigations, while CNBC said analysts expected a Bolsonaro victory to boost bonds and the currency, whereas a Lula win could keep rates higher.
