{
  "id": 1423457,
  "title": "Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro open Brazil's campaign in their respective political birthplaces",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/lula-and-flavio-bolsonaro-open-brazils-campaign-in-their-respective",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T22:46:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/08/16/lula-and-flavio-bolsonaro-open-brazil-s-campaign-in-their-respective-political-birthplaces"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Sunday, Brazil's two leading presidential candidates, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, kicked off their campaigns for the October 4 elections with rallies at venues significant to their political careers. In Sao Paulo's industrial region, Lula drew a crowd of over 10,000 supporters to the Vila Euclides stadium, where he had once been a prominent figure as a metalworkers union leader during the military dictatorship. The 80-year-old Lula, wearing a hat due to a skin cancer diagnosis, emphasized his commitment to continuity in his social policies. He warned that the right, responsible for 400,000 Covid deaths, would not return to power if he were to win a fourth term. Lula's running mate is Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin. Meanwhile, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro addressed a gathering on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, where he alleged to have received 1,800 death threats. The 45-year-old Bolsonaro, clad in a bulletproof vest, criticized the current government for driving families into debt, causing state company losses, and being soft on drug trafficking. He promised to combat crime and eliminate left-wing ideology from schools. Flavio Bolsonaro's mother and wife stood with him during his speech. Polls suggest Lula is leading with 43% support, while Flavio Bolsonaro follows closely with 40%, and rejection rates are at 54% for both candidates. The Quaest poll indicates that seven out of ten respondents have already decided their vote. Jair Bolsonaro, the candidate's father, is currently serving a sentence for attempting a coup and is ineligible to run for office. The October 4 election will also see the election of governors, the Chamber of Deputies, and two-thirds of the Senate. If necessary, a runoff will be held on October 25.",
  "summary": "Brazil's two leading presidential candidates launched their campaigns for the October 4 elections on Sunday with rallies at the venues associated with their political trajectories. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva drew more than 10,000 supporters to the Vila Euclides stadium in São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo's industrial belt, while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered his backers on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}