MADRID, 6 (EUROPA PRESS)
Workers’ Party (PT) candidate and former President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is eight points ahead of Jair Bolsonaro in the first poll ahead of the second round on Oct. 30, despite the extreme right reducing his disapproval of the government and surpassing him for the first time certain groups of voters.
Among white men, Bolsonaro has gained a slight advantage over Lula. Although the margin of error could mean a technical tie, according to the Ipec poll, 47 percent of these voters would currently vote for the Brazilian president, compared to 45 percent who would support the PT candidate.
It is the first time he has sat down in front of Lula in this demographic. As last Sunday’s elections drew closer, Bolsonaro was making up lost ground, despite always trailing behind his rival, who received six million more votes than he did in the first ballot.
But even in this current survey, Lula continues to lead in almost all voter groups thanks to his better image. He thus achieves 51 percent of the intention to vote compared to 43 percent for Bolsonaro.
On the other hand, the Brazilian electorate is aware of the importance of their vote, as indicated by 92 percent of respondents, with only 8 percent saying they can still change it. 40 percent would not vote for Lula at all, while 50 percent think the same about Bolsonaro.
LULA WINS AMONG BLACKS, POOR AND WOMEN; BOLSONARO, BETWEEN THE RICH AND EVANGELISTS
Where nothing seems to be changing right now is the preference that Lula enjoys among people of color and those on low incomes. The PT party intends to elect 55 percent of first-class voters and 64 percent of second-class voters.
For Bolsonaro’s re-election within three weeks, only 39 percent of blacks and 29 percent of low-income earners would vote for a minimum wage (192 euros).
Especially in the group of voters with high incomes above five minimum wages (about 960 upwards), the right-wing extremist would receive more support, a fact that has been repeated in previous surveys. 65 percent would vote for him, compared to 30 percent who would vote for Lula. Bolsonaro also prevailed slightly among middle income earners with 49 percent compared to 44 percent.
Lula also wins among female and male voters with 53 percent and 49 percent, respectively, compared to 40 percent of women and 45 percent of men who would support Bolsonaro. Throughout the campaign, the president’s team has tried unsuccessfully to reverse the poor image he has among female voters, even relying on the image of the first lady, Michele Bolsonaro.
Among the Catholics, Lula is ahead of 36 percent with 59 percent, his rival, who is more popular with Evangelical voters, is preferred by 61 percent to the PT with 31 percent.
In terms of territorial spread, Lula has a major advantage in the Northeast, while Bolsonaro is favored in the South, North, and Midwest. There is a technical band in the southeastern region, where the three largest voting centers are located – Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo.