‘Brazil cannot take any more’ - Flavio Bolsonaro targets Lula after election lead
Key Takeaways
- Flavio Bolsonaro led the first round with 47.03 per cent of valid votes.
- Lula followed with 45.16 per cent, sending both candidates into an October 25 runoff.
- Bolsonaro promised a campaign focused on “change” and declared, “It is the end of the PT era.”
Bolsonaro cast the October 25 runoff as a choice for change after finishing ahead of Lula in the first round with 47.03 per cent of valid votes.
Presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has promised to campaign for "change" after finishing ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first round of Brazil's presidential election.
Speaking in Brasilia on Sunday, the Liberal Party (PL) candidate celebrated his first-round result before turning his attention to the October 25 runoff against Lula.
"Nearly 56 million Brazilians gave this vote of confidence for change. The key word is change. Brazil cannot take any more," Bolsonaro said in a message released by his campaign team.
With 99 per cent of polling stations counted, Bolsonaro had 47.03 per cent of valid votes, compared with Lula's 45.16 per cent.
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Neither candidate secured an absolute majority, sending the contest to a second round.
Bolsonaro used his remarks to criticise the Workers' Party (PT) and Lula's record in government.
"It is the end of the PT era," Bolsonaro asserted, blaming the current government for problems including business closures and household indebtedness.
The candidate also outlined some of the policies he plans to push during the remaining weeks of campaigning.
They include reducing the number of government ministries and ending the possibility of presidential re-election.
"He cares about power. I care about Brazil's future. I am contesting Brazil's future," Bolsonaro said, drawing a contrast between himself and Lula.
Bolsonaro and Lula will face each other in the presidential runoff on October 25.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
