Vehicles highlight the polarization between Lula and Bolsonaro, tensions and risks to democracy
This Sunday morning (Oct 2, 2022) the international media highlighted the presidential elections in Brazil. While the headlines of some of Latin America’s most important newspapers emphasize the importance of the election for the entire region, European vehicles emphasize the danger to democracy and criticize President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).
“Bolsonaro vs. Lula, a historic vote that is drawing the attention of the entire region,” wrote Argentinian Clarin. Text talks about the polarization between former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and the current Chief Executive. She also claims that this election was “marked by violence, fears of mutiny and even an unlikely military coup.”
El País Uruguay followed the same line, emphasizing the importance of voting for all of Latin America:
Colombia’s El Espectador has pondered a possible Bolsonaro defeat if the polls confirm it, but without predicting an end to Bolsonarismo. He questioned whether the president would accept defeat and what a PT government would look like, given Lula’s focus on highlighting past successes and attacking his opponent during the campaign.
The North American press, in turn, did not pay much attention to the issue in the early hours of Sunday morning (October 2). The Washington Post said, “Brazil faces a crucial choice: more Bolsonaro or return to Lula?” in a summary of the Brazilian political scenario. “The vote amounts to a decision between messianic political giants with large constituencies.”
Earlier on Thursday (September 29), the North American newspaper published an editorial linking Lula’s possible return for a third term to rising leftwing populism in Latin America. “From Argentina to Mexico, the Red Wave brought less freedom and more difficulties,” he said.
While depicting Bolsonaro as a “boisterous and politically incorrect” leader confronted by “an activist Supreme Court” and “a target of the country’s powerful leftwing press,” he relates Lula to Fidel Castro and the São Paulo Forum, and blames corruption on scandals. .
“Socialists have sometimes used their popularity in elections to crush democratic institutions and stay in power,” he said. According to the newspaper, the elections should go into the second round because “the country deserves a debate”.
EUROPE
Across the Atlantic, in Portugal, Publico has reserved a section of its website exclusively for news about the Brazilian elections. In one post, he said the vote is testing Brazilian democracy and raised the possibility that Bolsonaro might not accept defeat.
The Expresso newspaper highlighted an interview in which comedian Fábio Porchat criticized the President:
The Spanish version of El País published profiles of the leaders of the Brazilian election campaign:
Frenchman Le Figaro said the duel “tested the soundness of the institutions of the largest country in Latin America” while also testing Brazilian democracy.
UK’s The Guardian talks about the importance of deciding elections on the basis of fear and violence in the 1st round.
Finally, the British business daily Financial Times conducted interviews with businessmen and religious leaders who favor Bolsonaro and voices from the periphery who defend Lula. Politicians such as federal MP and reelection candidate Tabata Amaral (PSB) and presidential candidate Felipe D’Avila (Novo) took part with testimonies.
