In Brazil’s much-anticipated presidential election, far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and his left-wing challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have convinced themselves of victory. The two candidates cast their votes relatively soon after the polls opened on Sunday – in total, more than 150 million Brazilians were called to the polls. Polls predicted an extremely close race
“God willing, we are going to win tonight,” Bolsonaro said after casting his vote in Rio de Janeiro. “Or better yet, Brazil will be victorious tonight,” said the incumbent, wearing a T-shirt in the colors of the Brazilian flag.
“Certainly for the victory of democracy”
His challenger, Lula, who was president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010, said after casting his vote in São Bernardo do Campo in the southeast of the country that he was “confident that democracy would win”. If he wins the elections, he wants to restore peace between the Brazilians.
The two candidates were received differently by voters. “I think that was the best government Brazil has ever had,” lawyer Eliane de Oliveira, 61, told AFP. You voted for Bolsonaro. Sports teacher Gustavo Souza, on the other hand, chose Lula according to his own statements. He hopes that the ex-president will “improve the lives of many people again”.
Slight lead expected for Lula
Polls recently saw Lula lead the way – albeit by a small lead, which has dwindled slightly recently. A Datafolha Institute poll published just before the start of the second round saw Lula at 52 percent and Bolsonaro at 48 percent. The incumbent was able to gain a percentage point compared to a survey on Thursday.
In the first round of Brazil’s presidential elections earlier this month, Lula received 48 percent of the vote, Bolsonaro 43 percent. At the time, polls had predicted a significantly larger lead for Lula. Brian Winter of Americas Quarterly told AFP the race was “a lot closer than anyone ever imagined.”
Election campaign was like a mud fight
The election campaign has been looking more and more like a mud fight lately. Bolsonaro called his challenger Lula, who spent a total of 18 months in prison for his involvement in the 2018 and 2019 Petrobras corruption scandal, a “thief”, “alcoholic” and a “national disgrace”. Lula called his opponent Bolsonaro a “pedophile”, “cannibal” and “little dictator”.
The results of the elections are also of great importance internationally. Conservationists fear the election results could seal the Amazon’s fate. Fires and deforestation in the rainforest increased sharply under Bolsonaro. For many Brazilians, on the other hand, other issues such as poverty, hunger and corruption were at the forefront during the election campaign.
There is also concern about how Bolsonaro, otherwise known as the “Trump of the Tropics”, will behave in the event of a potential defeat. Bolsonaro said Friday: “Whoever has the most votes wins. That’s democracy.” Critics, however, doubt the seriousness of such statements by Bolsonaro and fear he will not accept an election defeat like deposed US President Donald Trump. The results of the presidential election are expected Monday evening.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
