A clash between supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (left) and supporters of former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the election campaign in Brasilia October 27, 2022. ERALDO PERES/PA
It’s a tight and dangerous duel at the top that awaits Brazil. On Sunday 30 October, the outgoing right-wing leader Jair Bolsonaro will meet his left-wing opponent, the former trade unionist and President (2003-2011), on the second round of the presidential election. ), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Two political “monsters” opposed to everything, starting with their vision of the country.
According to the Datafolha institute, the latest polls narrow-headed Lula as the winner with 53% of voting intentions, versus 47% for the outgoing president. In an ultra-polarized and tense country, the undecided can now be counted on one hand: her make up more than 2% of voters. So many numbers should be taken with a pinch of salt, as it remains difficult to gauge the magnitude of far-right voices.
Since the first round on Oct. 2, in which the two candidates ended a neck-and-neck race, both Lula and Bolsonaro have thrown all their strength into the fray, with the evangelical population in their sights. The Labor Party (PT) leader has multiplied his appeals to this conservative constituency, reaffirming his opposition to abortion, standing alongside pastors and even publishing an open letter to evangelicals.
“fake news”
Faced with an extreme right pouring out its daily torrent of hate and “fake news” on social media, the left has chosen to type without gloves. In recent weeks, Lula’s campaign team has not hesitated in uncovering and mass-circulating embarrassing videos and statements made for the head of state who has been successively accused of being a Freemason, a cannibal and even a pedophile…
This campaign, which some refer to as a “gutter,” did not confuse some observers. “This second round is a tragedy. We haven’t talked about Brazil’s future yet. The debate has arrived in the fourth basement. It doesn’t get any lower! ”, regrets Mathias Alencastro, researcher at the Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning.
Also read: Between Lula and Bolsonaro, a final debate full of abuse before the second round of the presidential election
These hasty, belated, and often confused actions have not had the desired effect. In one month, the former metalworker has climbed just a small notch among evangelical voters, with 32% voting intentions according to Datafolha versus 62% for Jair Bolsonaro. “The letter to the evangelicals was primarily for damage control. It aimed to deny the fake news and reduce its impact,” acknowledges Valdemar Figueredo, a Baptist pastor and researcher at the University of Sao Paulo.
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