Brazilians vote in Beijing amid concerns over China ties and social policies
Brazilians living in China cast their ballots at their country's embassy in Beijing on Sunday, October 25, in a closely contested presidential run-off, with some voters expressing concerns over the future of Brazil-China relations and domestic social policies.
The election pits incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Voters were seen arriving at the embassy, undergoing registration checks and casting their ballots electronically, while others gathered outside after voting.
Erasto Santos Cruz, who has lived in China for nine years, expressed concern that a Bolsonaro victory could weaken relations between Beijing and Brasília. “If Lula wins, it's a guarantee that China's relationship with Brazil will keep getting better and better, because Lula is an old friend of China,” he told Viory.
Hernandes Miguel, who travelled from Wuhan to vote, warned that a change in leadership could threaten progress in public education and social programmes introduced under previous administrations.
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Another voter, Wagner Lacerda Dantas, described the election as crucial for Brazil's environmental policies, particularly the protection of the Amazon rainforest, and its international partnerships.
Meanwhile, Lara Vidal said she believed Lula's re-election would help Brazil resist political pressure from Washington and strengthen Latin America's independence.
The run-off follows a narrow first-round vote on October 4, when Bolsonaro secured approximately 47% against Lula's 45%.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
