Presidential and parliamentary elections have begun in Brazil
Quick Look
- Elections for the presidency and parliament have begun in Brazil.
- Around 160 million eligible voters decide between the incumbent President Lula da Silva and the challenger Flávio Bolsonaro.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for an attempted coup against Lula and is under house arrest.
The presidential and parliamentary elections have begun in Brazil. For the left-wing head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the election is about a fourth term in office. The 45-year-old Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is running against him. The Chamber of Deputies, two thirds of the Senate and all 27 governors of the most populous Latin American country are elected in parallel with the president.
Almost 160 million people are asked to cast their votes in the elections. In the most recent polls, Lula and his challenger Bolsonaro were close together. If none of the candidates receives more than half of the valid votes, there will be a runoff election on October 25th.
Senator Bolsonaro is the son of right-wing extremist former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for an attempted coup against Lula. He is serving his sentence under house arrest. Jair Bolsonaro was a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
This article will continue to be updated.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Runoff election on October 25th in the absence of an absolute majority.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Who will win the election?
- Will there be a runoff election on October 25th?
