Polls predicted left-wing ex-president Lula as the clear winner over far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
In the first round of the Brazilian election on Sunday, it is indeed Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who comes out on top in the first round of the Brazilian presidential election, but with a narrow margin: 48.4% of the vote against 43.2 % for his opponent, Jair Bolsonaro, according to almost final but still partial results.
"We have defeated the lies" of the polls, said the far-right president, who said he was optimistic about "playing the second half" of the presidential election.
On the Lula side, a footballing metaphor: “It's just an extension.
I can tell you that we are going to win this election,” assured the former president (2003-2010).
“The fight continues, until the final victory,” said the 76-year-old former steelworker, who admitted he hoped to win in the first round and looked dejected after the announcement of the result.
The Brazilians sanctioned the 67-year-old outgoing president less than expected for his denial of the Covid (685,000 dead), the economic crisis in a country where more than 30 million people suffer from hunger and the crises that have punctuated his entire mandate.
By October 30, the populist leader will have the opportunity to galvanize his troops in the streets and find new momentum.
A campaign riddled with violence
The real issue in this first round, for which more than 156 million Brazilians were called to vote, was whether or not Lula would be elected in the first round.
Eleven candidates were in the running but the debates very quickly focused on the Lula / Bolsonaro duel, to the point of relegating the other candidates to figuration.
All in a climate that could not be more tense.
The illustration had still been given Thursday during the last debate before the first round.
“Liar, former prisoner, traitor to the country!
" had thus launched the outgoing president to his opponent on the left, who had retaliated by finding that it was "ugly to see a President of the Republic lying constantly" and by promising him that the people would send Jair Bolsonaro home from the start. October 2.
This climate of violence was one of the major markers of a campaign peppered with murders committed by pro Bolsonaro.
Reason why the reaction of the outgoing president will be closely scrutinized.
Will he accept the verdict of democracy?
Or will he try to challenge the results?
His behavior could bring with him many supporters.
