Brazilians divided over Lula and Bolsonaro ahead of presidential run-off
Brazilian voters have expressed mixed views ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and opposition candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, with democracy, social welfare and political change dominating concerns.
Some voters backed Lula despite reservations about his leadership, arguing that his government offered greater protection for social policies and democratic freedoms.
Cleaning worker Jehova Pessoa de Lima, 64, criticised Bolsonaro's perceived ties to US President Donald Trump and Argentina's Javier Milei, saying they had undermined his confidence in the candidate.
Gabriela Ribeiro Viana de Araujo, 29, said her concerns centred on protecting social policies and preventing what she feared could become a dictatorship.
However, cook Igor de Assis Coutinho, 42, argued that Brazil needed political change after years of governance by Lula and his allies.
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“I think this is the time for a change,” he told the AFP, adding that although Bolsonaro was not his preferred candidate, he would support him over Lula.
Meanwhile, cleaning worker Damião da Silva, 69, praised Lula's commitment to poorer Brazilians, describing him as a president who prioritised low-income communities.
The run-off will take place on October 25, 2026.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
