Progressive voters and supporters of incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva left reeling after far-right surgeFlávio Bolsonaro is in pole position to win Brazil’s presidential election, after a far-right tsunami propelled him to a shock first-round victory over the incumbent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, leaving progressive voters reeling.The 45-year-old rightwing candidate received 56.1m votes to Lula’s 53.8m – 47.03% to 45.16% – meaning the 80-year-old leftwinger has a mountain to climb if he is to bounce back in the second round on 25 October.
Never, since the return of democracy to Brazil in 1985, has the first-round runner-up managed to turn the game around and win the second ballot. Continue reading...
Government spokespeople have not yet responded to every detail in early accounts, and investigators cautioned that initial figures can change as additional witnesses come forward.
Analysts following the international community said the development fits a broader pattern of fast-moving events that require careful verification before policy responses are finalized.