Lateinamerika: Wahllokale geöffnet: Brasilien wählt Präsidenten

In Brazil, the decisive presidential run-off election has begun. Around 159 million eligible voters will decide between incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who seeks a fourth term, and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who aims to become the nation's first president. The vote counting begins at 17:00 local time, with preliminary results awaited in Germany on Monday night.

The contest between the two politicians is considered extremely tight, with recent polls showing Bolsonaro leading by a narrow margin - Lula received around 45 percent of the valid votes in the first round, while Bolsonaro secured 47 percent. Lula, 80 years old from the left-wing Worker's Party (PT), campaigns for social programs, state investments, and continuation of his government's course.

Bolsonaro from the right-wing Liberal Party (PL) promotes conservative stances and a tougher approach to crime. "I believe it's time for a real change," Bolsonaro said after casting his vote in Rio de Janeiro. One of his central promises is an amnesty for his father, who was jailed for more than 27 years due to an attempted coup.

Health issues currently house arrest the former president. The campaign was marked by sharp attacks from both sides, accusing each other of corruption and links to organized crime. The dispute reflects the deep political division of Brazil, the largest country in Latin America. The role of the Supreme Court and relations with the United States were also topics of the campaign.