Brazil kicks off election campaign with voters jaded

Brazil's leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro began their election campaigns on Sunday in a race that has many voters feeling jaded. Both candidates are seeking a fourth and final term, and both are facing deep polarization among the electorate. The election is taking place in the shadow of US President Donald Trump, who has openly supported conservative candidates in recent Latin American elections.

Voters expressed their frustration with the political options. Market vendor Rosalie Lourecal, 53, said she would not vote for either Lula or Bolsonaro, stating, "The presidential candidates, they're all bad. I won't vote for (Lula), I won't vote for Bolsonaro. I don't even know what I am going to do!"

The race features around a dozen candidates, with those trailing Lula and Bolsonaro polling in the single digits. A recent poll predicted that Lula would receive 43% of the votes and Bolsonaro would get 40% if a runoff election is necessary. With both frontrunners facing rejection rates over 50%, the election will hinge on a narrow pool of independent voters. Bolsonaro has gained ground in this sector.

Lula launched his campaign with a rally in Sao Bernardo do Campo, his birthplace and the site of his political beginnings in the 1970s. During his third term, Lula has expanded social programs, overhauled the tax system, and reduced deforestation in the Amazon. He has also vowed to increase defense spending and prioritize the fight against organized crime.

Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, is positioning himself as a "more moderate" version of his father. He has urged supporters to wear a t-shirt with his father's image at his rally in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach. Bolsonaro promises to "rescue" Brazil, emphasizing his tough stance on crime and fiscal responsibility.

Despite Brazil's improving economy, with poverty rates at their lowest since 2012, many Brazilians do not feel an improvement in their daily lives. A school transport company owner, William Ramos, 40, said he would vote for Bolsonaro's son, citing his desire for a better life. He criticized Lula's 2022 campaign promise that Brazilians would be able to afford a popular cut of beef, picanha, which remains unaffordable for many.

Political scientists suggest that Lula and Bolsonaro will need to reach disengaged voters, who are likely to abstain from the election. Women, who make up 53% of Brazil's 158 million registered voters, are a key demographic to win over, as they are more likely to vote and helped Lula win narrowly in 2022.