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Brazilians vote in first round of tight, polarised election
The contest includes 13 candidates, with front runners President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro after a campaign marked by corruption allegations and economic anxiety.
Brazilians queued to vote on Sunday in the first round of a tight, polarised election, Reuters reported, after a campaign dominated by corruption scandals, economic anxiety, and accusations of US meddling.
The race features 13 candidates, led by leftist incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 80, seeking a fourth term, and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, who is campaigning to return his father Jair Bolsonaro’s right wing movement to power.
The outcome could reshape regional politics, with a Flavio Bolsonaro win extending a wave of right wing victories aligned with US President Donald Trump, while a Lula re election could raise challenges for Washington after clashes with his government over trade and security.
Reuters also said worries about Brazil’s public finances and sluggish economic growth have persisted, and that both leading candidates skipped major television debates, leaving limited policy debate during the campaign.