Brazil: Lula and Bolsonaro are preparing for the second and decisive round of the presidential elections
A recent poll found that 49% of those polled said they would vote on Sunday for Lula, while 45% for Bolsonaro.
Some fear that Bolsonaro is preparing the ground for an appeal against the results, even though he insisted that he will respect them - which could lead to a wave of violence after the elections
news agencies
27/10/2022
Thursday, October 27, 2022, 2:03 p.m. Updated: 2:11 p.m.
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Brazil goes to the polls on Sunday for the second round of presidential elections, which are defined as the most important elections in the country's history as a democracy.
The choice is between two completely different candidates - former president Lula da Silva from the left camp, and incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro from the extreme right.
The elections are being held against a backdrop of high inflation, slowing growth and an increase in poverty.
Both candidates attacked each other during the campaign in every possible way.
Clashes between their supporters caused many to fear what was going to happen after the elections.
Lula and Bolsonaro failed to garner 50% of the vote in the first round held earlier this month.
Brought millions out of poverty.
Lola da Silva (Photo: Reuters)
Silva served as president of Brazil for two terms, in 2003-2006 and 2007-2011.
He led the country at a time when global commodity prices were on the rise, helping him fund massive welfare programs and lift millions out of poverty.
He left power with 90% support - a record tarnished by a corruption scandal in which he was involved that led to the filing of indictments against hundreds of politicians and businessmen in Latin America.
Lula was convicted of corruption and money laundering in 2017, but the court overturned the charge in March 2021.
Bolsonaro is a former army officer who served as a federal deputy for 27 years.
He was considered a marginal figure in politics before breaking out in 2010 as the head of the far-right movement.
Bolsonaro ran for the presidency in Brazil in 2018 with the conservative Liberal Party and was dubbed the "Trump of the tropics."
He is known for his explosive statements and conservative agenda supported by leading evangelical religious leaders in the country.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro arrives at the polls ahead of the election (Reuters)
However, poverty expanded during his tenure, and his popularity suffered in light of his handling of the corona epidemic, which he called the "little flu", before the virus killed 680,000 people in Brazil.
His government also supported brutal land exploitation in the Amazon forests.
A Datapolia survey published yesterday (Wednesday) found that 49% of those polled said they would vote for Lula, while 45% for Bolsonaro.
In light of Bolsonaro's better-than-expected performance in the first round, polling companies are now predicting a much closer contest between the two.
Some fear that Bolsonaro is preparing the ground for an appeal against the results of the elections, even though he insisted that he would respect them if they were "clean and transparent".
There is no evidence of fraud in Brazil's computerized voting system since it came into use in 1996.
Experts are concerned that Bolsonaro's rhetoric could lead to violence if Lula wins.
More in Walla!
Brazil's presidential elections: President Bolsonaro will face Lula in a second round
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