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Brazilians began voting in Sunday\u2019s polarizing presidential runoff between incumbent President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva and Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro, a contest that will determine whether the U.S. will significantly expand its growing influence in Latin America.<\/p>\n
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Polls ahead of the vote showed the two candidates, who need more than 50 per cent of the vote to become Brazil\u2019s next leader in January, in a neck-and-neck race. The election pits the left-of-center veteran politician Lula against Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and the son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro.<\/p>\n
Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro bested Lula by more than 2.2 million votes in the first round of the election earlier this month. However, more than 33 million voters out of nearly 160 million did not turn out even though voting is compulsory.<\/p>\n
The difference between the two candidates is stark. Bolsonaro and Lula have opposing ideological views on issues ranging from U.S.-Brazil relations and climate change to social welfare.<\/p>\n
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A win for Bolsonaro would signify a pivot to the right by Latin America\u2019s most populous country and its largest economy, in a year when Trump allies have notched victories in Chile, Peru and Colombia.<\/p>\n
A victory for Lula would leave Brazil and Mexico, which is the region\u2019s second most populous country and led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, with left-of-center leaders.<\/p>\n
In many ways, Brazil\u2019s runoff vote resembles a rematch between the country\u2019s two polarized political forces that trigger passion as much as loathing. Four years ago, Lula beat Bolsonaro\u2019s father by the narrowest margin since the country\u2019s return to democracy in 1985. Polls suggest that this election will be even closer.<\/p>\n
Lula, who first governed the country between 2003 and 2010, has faced a tough reelection battle because of concerns about the cost of living and security. Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs.<\/p>\n
Both have been hit by corruption suspicions involving family members and allies, with Bolsonaro implicated in a sprawling scandal rocking Brazil. Lula spent more than a year in prison on corruption convictions that were eventually annulled.<\/p>\n
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Bolsonaro\u2019s admission that he accepted about US$12 million from disgraced former banker Daniel Vorcaro to produce a film on his father\u2019s life has cast a shadow over his campaign. He is under investigation for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion in connection with the case.<\/p>\n
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As Bolsonaro voted at a school in Rio de Janeiro around 8 a.m., his supporters shouted \u201cLula, thief, your place is in prison\u201d while Lula\u2019s supporters chanted in his support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time of real change has arrived,\u201d Bolsonaro told journalists. \u201cBrazil can\u2019t go on another four years on its current trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Fabianne Borges Santoro, a 45-year-old physiotherapist in Rio de Janeiro, once voted for Lula\u2019s party but now associates it with corruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Workers\u2019 Party has been in power for a long time and the voice of the people is saying that we need change to see improvements in security and the cost of living,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In the lead-up to the vote, Lula frequently portrayed Bolsonaro, whose father is under house arrest for attempting a coup, as a threat to democracy. Bolsonaro has promised to seek an amnesty for his father if elected.<\/p>\n
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The next president will name at least three Supreme Court justices out of 11 in his next term due to upcoming retirements. Bolsonaro has long taken aim at the country\u2019s top court \u2014 which has been rocked by a corruption scandal \u2014 and promised to push for judiciary reform.<\/p>\n
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