Brazil has not given up yet
On Sunday 25 October, Brazilians will decide between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, in an election with consequences for the entire continent. After coming first in the first round of the presidential election on 4 October, the third son of the far-right former president has seen his lead shrink. On the eve of the vote, the two candidates were neck and neck in the polls. On the…
On Sunday, Brazilian voters will choose between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his far-right challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. The outcome of this election holds implications for the entire continent. Despite Lula's narrow lead in polls, Bolsonaro's campaign remains strong, buoyed by the backing of powerful sectors and institutions.
Agribusiness, evangelical churches, and segments of the security forces continue to support Bolsonaro, despite his recent conviction for an attempted coup. The far-right's reach is bolstered by organized efforts on social media, with accusations of bias from US tech giants. Lula has criticized Bolsonaro's ties to the US, particularly Eduardo Bolsonaro's overtures to Donald Trump, which led to increased sanctions against Brazil.
The issue of land ownership and agricultural reform also plays a significant role, with a small percentage of landowners controlling a large portion of Brazil's agricultural land. These landowners wield considerable political influence, particularly within Congress. Regardless of the election's outcome, the powerful landowners will continue to have significant means to protect their interests. The final question remains: will the US administration recognize Lula's potential victory?
Written by urgent.news from Le Monde diplomatique (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
