Brazilians cast their votes Sunday in a presidential election closely watched by US President Donald Trump, amid sharp polarization between two social approaches represented by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and conservative Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
Conservatives have recently achieved successive victories in Latin America with encouragement and support from Trump, but a shift to the right by the region's largest economy would mark a dramatic turning point.
Lula, in his eighties, is seeking a fourth and final presidential term, asserting that Brazil's sovereignty is at stake in the face of US pressure.
He is locked in a fierce battle for the votes of 160 million electorate against Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, the son of his former rival, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.
Flávio Bolsonaro was virtually unknown before his father launched him into the spotlight upon being sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in a coup attempt following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 presidential election.
Neither candidate is expected to secure the 50% of the vote needed to win in the first round. A poll conducted by the Datafolha Institute and published Saturday evening showed the incumbent president with 45% of the vote in the first round, compared to 42% for his opponent, meaning they are virtually tied, taking into account the margin of error.
In that case, they will face each other in a runoff election on October 25.
"A bit lost" -
The election campaign was marked more by scandals and personal attacks than by policy debates. Accusations of embezzlement were traded, especially since Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption and money laundering, and Lula spent more than 18 months in prison in 2018-2019 on corruption charges before his conviction was overturned on procedural grounds.
Many voters are making their choices at the last minute.
"I voted for Lula, but he's getting old, and I wanted something different this time," said Julio Camargo, 52, a delivery driver in Brasilia. "But I won't vote for Bolsonaro... so I'm a bit lost."
Lula, who returned to power in 2023, is known for his social programs that lifted millions out of poverty in the early 2000s. He boasts a record-low unemployment rate, but voters complain about the cost of living and rising crime rates.
He also significantly reduced deforestation in the Amazon, after Bolsonaro's presidency saw the destruction of the world's largest rainforest, sparking global outrage.
- American flags -
Trump did not endorse Bolsonaro, but his shadow loomed large over the campaign.
He imposed steep tariffs and sanctions on Brazil since the impeachment trial of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, and huge American flags and all manner of symbols of the US president were seen at right-wing rallies.
Bolsonaro, a proponent of close ties with Washington, promised to crack down on crime and take decisive action against the country's soaring national debt.
Carlos Roberto dos Santos, a 62-year-old cattle rancher from Barretos (southeast Brazil), told AFP he was fed up with out-of-control public spending and confirmed he would vote for Bolsonaro.
"They have a huge number of social programs," he explained. "They'll have to raise interest rates and introduce new taxes just to pay off the debt."
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