Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flavio Bolsonaro staged final rallies in São Paulo as they vied for votes ahead of a tightly contested election. Polls indicated no clear first-round winner and pointed to a likely October 25 runoff. The campaign has been dominated by allegations tied to jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro, bitter personal attacks and intensive online disinformation. Voters expressed sharply different priorities, from defending sovereignty to pursuing tougher security and austerity measures.
Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro Make Final Push in São Paulo Ahead of Tight Brazilian Election
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at 80 years old, is seeking a fourth and final term in office, warning voters that Brazil's sovereignty is at stake in the face of pressure from US President Donald Trump (Luis ROBAYO)
Brazil's incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flavio Bolsonaro staged last-day rallies in the crucial state of São Paulo as they made a final appeal to voters ahead of a razor-thin election marked by scandals, bitter attacks and intensive online campaigning.
Lula, an 80-year-old veteran of Brazil's left, campaigned for what he says would be a fourth and final term, warning supporters that foreign influence and economic pressures threaten Brazil's sovereignty. Lula drew large crowds in São Paulo, where many supporters wore the red of the Workers' Party and sported slogans such as "Make Lula President Again" and "Brazil Belongs To Brazilians."
Flavio Bolsonaro, 45 and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, held a motorcycle rally roughly 400 km away in São Paulo state. His campaign has emphasized tougher public security measures and fiscal austerity, and his events have prominently displayed U.S. flags and inflatable likenesses of Donald Trump — a sign of the campaign's focus on geopolitical alignment and conservative solidarity.
Voters and Voices
Supporters on both sides painted starkly different stakes. Adriana Lima, an early childhood educator, told reporters that Lula "is the only president who cared about the people" and warned against outside interference. At a Flavio Bolsonaro rally, businessman Marcelo Peressim carried a portrait of the candidate's father and lamented the high cost of living: "We work almost 24 hours a day... yet there's never any money left over."
"It's a choice between democracy and barbarism," said one Lula supporter, reflecting the polarized mood that has defined much of the campaign.
Scandals, Investigations and Online Warfare
Both campaigns have been dogged by investigations and accusations. Flavio Bolsonaro has faced scrutiny over alleged corruption linked to financing for the biopic "Dark Horse," reportedly bankrolled by jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro, who is under investigation in a major financial scandal. That controversy has spilled into the judiciary and public debate, prompting accusations and counter-accusations that have dominated headlines.
Online, both camps have mounted aggressive digital operations, turning gaffes and rumors into polished videos and AI-generated images that circulated widely on social platforms in the campaign's closing days.
What Else Is on the Ballot
Alongside the presidential contest, nearly 160 million registered Brazilian voters were also choosing lawmakers, governors and some senators, making this election pivotal for the country's political balance at multiple levels.
Opinion polls suggested no outright winner in the first round and indicated a statistical tie between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro heading into what commentators called a likely runoff on October 25.
Turnout and undecided voters remained key variables. On the eve of the vote, many Brazilians said they were still deciding, underscoring the tight and unpredictable nature of the race.
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