Across Brazil, the polls will open this morning on the big election day:
the citizens will elect 27 of the 81 seats in the Senate, all 513 legislators of the House of Representatives, as well as 27 governors.
But most of the attention will be directed to the presidential race, in which the current president, Jair Bolsonaro, faces the former president, Incio "Lola" da Silva, who threatens to play the cards and win with a comeback from the movies.
Like other world leaders, most of the term of Bolsonaro (67), who entered the presidential palace in January 2019, was characterized by the fight against the corona epidemic that claimed the lives of almost 700 thousand people in Brazil.
In his special style, Bolsonaro underestimated the seriousness of the danger inherent in the virus, which he defined as a "little flu", and adopted an open policy, with almost no restrictions.
This policy may have consequences when the citizens of Brazil choose who will lead them in the next four years.
Bolsonaro (in the white shirt) campaigning in Sao Paulo.
How will his approach to Corona affect?, Photo: AP
Facing him is Luiz Incio da Silva (76), known as "Lola", the former president of Brazil, who served in the years 2003-2010.
Da Silva is one of the founders of the Workers' Party of Brazil (PT).
Since leaving office as one of the most popular presidents Brazil has ever known, Lula has had to spend most of his time on the dock due to corruption and money laundering charges from his tenure.
"Lola" da Silva with his supporters in Sao Paulo.
On the way to a comeback?
In 2017, in a trial led by Judge Sergio Moro, da Silva was found guilty, and he was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison.
Moro took advantage of the opportunity and the reputation he gained among the Brazilian people and joined Bolsonaro's government as Minister of Justice.
After about a year, he resigned on the grounds that Bolsonaro was interfering in the affairs of his office.
In 2018, Lola was sent to prison, where he spent a year and a half.
In 2019, the Brazilian Supreme Court ordered the release of the former president, after a series of irregularities related to the management of the case were found, and in 2021, all charges against him were dropped.
Supporters of Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro, photo: Reuters
Brazilians will be asked to choose between two worldviews: economic and social socialism that da Silva brings with him, and the capitalist conservatism of Bolsonaro.
According to the polls, Bolsonaro's situation is very difficult.
In recent days, his political opponent managed to increase the gap by 14%, making him the leading candidate.
"Lola" supporters enjoy every moment in Sao Paulo, photo: AP
To win, the candidates must pass the threshold of 50 percent of the votes, or alternatively, compete in a second and final round on October 30.
Da Silva's apparent victory indicates a trend that is growing in South America: the return of the political left to the heart of the consensus, something that has already been reflected in other countries on the continent.
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