Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro Rally Supporters as Brazil Faces Decisive Sunday Vote
In the final hours of a tight campaign, the two top contenders held massive gatherings, with polls showing the race remains neck and neck.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro held large rallies on Saturday, marking the final day of campaigning before the decisive presidential run-off election scheduled for Sunday. The events drew thousands of supporters to different parts of the country, signaling high energy and engagement in a contest that remains extremely close. Both candidates used the opportunity to rally their bases and make final appeals to undecided voters.
The current president, an 80-year-old left-wing leader, addressed hundreds of people at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Wearing a red hat and standing on a campaign truck, he waved a Brazilian flag while the beach area filled with crowds. Lula focused his message on his rival's relationship with US President Donald Trump. He told the audience that voters must choose between a leader who honors the national flag and one who honors the American flag.
Lula is seeking a fourth term in office, which would be non-consecutive. The upcoming election will determine if he stays in power or if Brazil joins a broader regional trend shifting toward the right. The stakes are high for the country's political future and its alignment with global powers.
Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, led in the first round with 47 percent of the vote, narrowly beating Lula's 45 percent. Recent data suggests the race is still effectively tied. A CNT/MDA poll released on Saturday showed Bolsonaro at 46.3 percent and Lula at 45 percent. This is a slight shift from a week earlier, when the same poll had Bolsonaro leading 46.8 percent to 45.9 percent. The margin of error for these surveys is 2.2 percentage points.
Bolsonaro's campaign held its own event in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The gathering featured hundreds of motorcyclists wearing yellow national football shirts. Ebert Dorigo, one of the supporters, told AFP that the Workers' Party has encouraged dependence on government welfare. He argued that the country needs a change in direction, stating that the values of nation and family are central to their platform.
Dorigo suggested that Brazil is divided because welfare-based policies have led some people to believe that improvement comes without hard work. He emphasized that achievement comes only through effort. This sentiment reflects a key part of the conservative message, which focuses on reducing state intervention and promoting individual responsibility.
The campaign has been marked by bitter exchanges and has highlighted deep divisions over economic policy, crime, and the country's political trajectory. Bolsonaro has pledged to tackle crime by adding hundreds of thousands of prison places. He also promised to cut government spending. His father, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula.
Despite the intensity of the campaign, the two candidates adopted a calmer tone during their final debate on Friday. However, they still traded accusations regarding Brazil's economic difficulties and each other's records. The debate offered a chance for voters to see how the candidates handled pressure in their last formal meeting before the vote.
For some voters, the decision is not straightforward. Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, expressed frustration to AFP about the available options. She stated that if there were another candidate, it would be a better choice. However, she felt stuck choosing between the worst and the lesser evil. This sentiment captures the mood of a significant portion of the electorate that is undecided or dissatisfied with both main contenders.
