The presidential election in Brazil this Sunday (4) gained prominence in the international press. Newspaper reports from the United States and Europe highlight the fierce dispute, the Brazilian economic scenario and the possible influence of President Donald Trump in the election.
In the last two days, the US president was asked about the dispute and said he was following the elections in Brazil "very closely". Without mentioning the candidates, Trump also said that the Brazilian election is "very important".
"Brazil is a very important country. It's a great country. The people of Brazil are fantastic. It's a very important election," the president told reporters at the White House.
See below what the international press is saying about the elections.
'The Trump Factor'
In a report published on Monday (28), the newspaper "The New York Times" highlighted the "Trump factor" in the election and stated that the main question is to what extent the US president will try to influence the dispute.
The newspaper highlighted that Trump did not openly declare support for any Brazilian candidate. However, he claims that the Republican government has, "in subtle ways", favored Flávio Bolsonaro.
The report also states that "Brazil is erecting a kind of protective barrier to try to protect its election" against US interference.
Initiatives include "monitoring foreign lobbying and disinformation activities, combating false claims of election fraud, and seeking support from countries in Europe, Asia and other regions."
The newspaper concludes that the Brazilian election is strategically important for the US and states that an eventual victory by Flávio would bring Brasília closer to Washington on issues such as security and strategic minerals, while Lula maintains a more independent and critical stance towards Trump.
'Brazil's decision will affect everyone'
The British newspaper "The Guardian" published an editorial on Wednesday (30) highlighting that the presidential election represents a decisive choice for the future of Brazil.
The text states that, although Flávio Bolsonaro presents himself as a "less rude and less temperamental" version of his father, he maintains equally radical positions.
As for Lula, the article assesses that the PT member is facing wear and tear caused by the economic slowdown, crime and the political effects of the Banco Master scandal.
The editorial also states that a victory for Flávio would strengthen President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the so-called "Donroe Doctrine", which foresees greater American influence in Latin America.
Finally, the newspaper states that Flávio's election could pose risks to democracy, minority rights and environmental protection.
"Democracy would probably be its first local victim. But the climate would certainly be another, with consequences for all of us", states the editorial.
'Brazil turns its back on the future'
"The Economist" magazine highlighted that Brazil has exceptional conditions to prosper, thanks to the abundance of natural resources, the strength of agribusiness, the relatively clean energy matrix and the potential of the population.
However, the article argues that the country remains stagnant. The text maintains that the expansion of public debt and the lack of deep reforms keep interest rates high, limit investments and harm economic growth.
According to the report, the October 4 election offers "little hope of a turnaround, and the choice facing Brazilians is daunting."
For the magazine, neither Lula nor Flávio Bolsonaro, the two candidates ahead in the polls, "appear reliable when it comes to facing Brazil's two biggest problems: deep-rooted corruption and the incessant expansion of public spending."
'Controversies instead of proposals'
The French newspaper "Libération" highlighted that Lula reaches the final stretch of the presidential election with favorable economic and environmental indicators, but without being able to transform these results into a clear advantage in the polls.
The report cites unemployment at a historically low level, the slowdown in inflation, the reduction of poverty and the drop in deforestation in the Amazon.
At the same time, it highlights that part of the population still faces difficulties in their daily lives and does not concretely perceive the advances highlighted by the data.
According to the newspaper, the campaign has been marked more by controversies and scandals than by the discussion of proposals. Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro appear practically tied, while the other candidates play a secondary role in a highly polarized dispute.
For "Libération", rejection remains one of the main factors in the election. The text states that Lula still bears the wear and tear caused by old corruption accusations, despite the annulment of the convictions, and faces growing resistance among evangelical voters.
The report also points to Donald Trump as "the elephant in the room" of the election. According to the newspaper, Lula is trying to present himself as a barrier to US influence, while the advance of the right in South America adds an international dimension to the dispute.
"Danger of involution"
The Spanish newspaper "El País" highlighted that the election will define more than the next president and represents a test for democracy and the capacity of institutions to prevent an authoritarian regression.
The editorial presents the dispute between Lula and Flávio as a confrontation between opposing views on democracy and institutions.
For the newspaper, the attack on January 8, 2023 showed the consequences of disregard for democratic rules and highlighted the importance of the actions of Brazilian institutions. Flávio's promise to grant his father a pardon, according to "El País", keeps the episode at the center of the electoral dispute.
The text also states that the strength of Brazilian democracy will have repercussions beyond the country, especially given the advance of conservative movements aligned with Donald Trump in Latin America.
In this context, the newspaper considers Brazil an important diplomatic counterweight in the region.
