Lula and Bolsonaro Rally Supporters as Brazil Heads to Tied Vote

Voters in Brazil face a narrow choice on Sunday as the presidential race enters its final hours. The runoff pits incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a contest that has ended in a statistical tie according to recent surveys.

On Saturday, the final day of campaigning, both men addressed large crowds. Lula, 80 years old, spoke from Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro wearing a red hat. He waved a national flag from a campaign truck while referencing his rival's relationship with US President Donald Trump. "The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag," Lula said.

Flavio Bolsonaro campaigned in Minas Gerais, where hundreds of supporters wearing yellow football shirts gathered on motorcycles. The senator secured 47 percent of the vote in the first round, slightly ahead of Lula’s 45 percent. A CNT/MDA poll released Saturday places Bolsonaro at 46.3 percent and Lula at 45 percent. A week earlier, the same firm reported Bolsonaro leading 46.8 to 45.9. The margin of error is 2.2 percentage points.

Supporters of both candidates outlined distinct visions for the country. Ebert Dorigo, a motorcyclist in Minas Gerais, told AFP that the Workers’ Party had encouraged reliance on government welfare. "The values we uphold are nation and family," Dorigo said. He argued that Brazil is divided because welfare policies have obscured the link between hard work and achievement.

Bolsonaro has pledged to add hundreds of thousands of prison beds and reduce government spending. His father, Jair Bolsonaro, served as president from 2019 to 2022 and is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election. The campaign has focused heavily on crime and economic management.

The two candidates maintained a calmer tone during their final debate on Friday, though they exchanged accusations regarding economic performance and past records. For many undecided voters, the selection remains difficult. Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, described the choice to AFP as a selection between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil.