Brazilians vote Sunday in the first round of a polarised presidential election pitting leftwing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
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Key facts
- The first round of Brazil's presidential election takes place on Sunday.
- Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term.
- His far-right challenger is Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.
- Flávio Bolsonaro is an ally of Donald Trump.
- Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after his failed 2022 re-election attempt.
Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday in the first round of a highly polarised and high-stakes presidential election, according to the Guardian. The outlet reports that the vote could change not only the direction of Latin America’s largest country but that of the entire region.
The election pits the leftwing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, against the far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The contest sets a sitting leftwing incumbent against a prominent figure of the Brazilian far right.
Flávio Bolsonaro is an ally of Donald Trump and the son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro, the Guardian reports. His candidacy continues the political prominence of the Bolsonaro family in Brazilian politics.
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after his failed 2022 re-election attempt, according to the Guardian. That conviction forms part of the backdrop to the current race.
The Guardian describes the election as deeply polarised, framing it as a battle between a leftwing incumbent and the far-right son of a jailed ex-president. The stakes, the outlet says, extend beyond Brazil’s borders to the direction of the entire region.
Why it matters
As Latin America's largest country, Brazil's choice of leader carries weight well beyond its borders. The race between an incumbent leftwing president and a Trump-aligned far-right challenger could influence the political direction of the entire region.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the main candidates in Brazil's presidential election?
The main candidates are leftwing incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, and far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro.
When does the vote take place?
Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the presidential election, according to the Guardian.
Why is Jair Bolsonaro not a candidate?
According to the Guardian, former president Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after his failed 2022 re-election attempt.
Timeline
- Brazil goes to polls in decisive election for future of Latin America
The Guardian World: Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro face off in battle between leftwing incumbent and far-right son of jailed ex-president Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday in the first round of a highly polarised and high-stakes presidential election that could change not only the direction of Latin A