Lula, Bolsonaro Trade Blows in Final Brazil Scramble

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and rival Flávio Bolsonaro are launching aggressive final appeals to voters ahead of Sunday’s presidential election in Brazil.

The fiercely contested race has drawn intense international focus, with US President Donald Trump watching closely.

Washington suspended consular services in Brasília, and Australia closed its embassy due to unspecified security concerns—a move Lula’s party president labelled an attempt by Trump to sway public opinion.

Opinion polls show the 80-year-old leftist incumbent in a dead heat with the 45-year-old senator and son of the former far-right president, signalling a likely runoff on October 25.

High voter disillusionment plagues the campaign, which has devolved into relentless scandals and personal attacks.

Tensions flared after rumours circulated that Bolsonaro intended to strip Brazil’s patron saint of her status, prompting Lula to campaign with her image, while Bolsonaro’s team attacked Lula on social media over controversial remarks regarding medical exams.

Lula relies on his economic record—highlighting lower inflation, reduced unemployment, and falling Amazon deforestation—while issuing recent social welfare increases and banning sports betting.

However, voters remain frustrated by rising living costs and persistent violent crime.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro vows a first-round victory and promises tough anti-crime measures, despite facing a current corruption investigation into his ties with a jailed banker who financed a biographical film about his father.