Brazil's Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro wrap up campaigns on eve of tight vote

Brazil will hold a close presidential election on Sunday, pitting incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against his 45-year-old son Flávio Bolsonaro. The two politicians, representing opposing political ideologies, are vying for the position of the country's next leader.

Lula, 80, is running for a fourth and final term, warning voters that Brazil's sovereignty is at risk under pressure from the U.S. President Donald Trump. He has urged the United States not to interfere in Brazil's elections. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods and designated Brazil's drug-trafficking gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. Lula has opposed these measures.

Flávio Bolsonaro, on the other hand, campaigns on security and fiscal austerity. He has criticized Lula as "incompetent" and highlighted the high cost of living in Brazil. If elected, Flávio would place Brazil in the group of Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru, that have swung to the right in recent votes.

The campaign has been marked by scandals and personal attacks, as both candidates vie for the attention of undecided voters. Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption related to the funding of a biopic about his father, which was financed by jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro. Vorcaro is also under investigation in one of Brazil's biggest financial scandals, implicating several figures in power.

Opinion polls suggest that neither candidate is expected to win outright in the first round of voting, scheduled for October 4. A runoff election is expected on October 25, with the final results likely to determine the next head of state in Brazil.