Brazil runoff pits Lula against Bolsonaro in tight race

Brazilians voted Sunday in a polarizing presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, with polls showing a neck-and-neck race that will determine the future direction of Latin America's largest economy. Bolsonaro, an ally of President Trump and son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, bested Lula by over 2.2 million votes in the first round, though more than 33 million voters abstained. The candidates hold opposing views on U.S. relations, climate change, and social welfare, with a Bolsonaro win signaling a rightward pivot in the region. Security and cost-of-living concerns have shaped the campaign, with Bolsonaro pledging a tough-on-crime approach and Lula offering debt relief and free weekend transit. Bolsonaro faces a corruption investigation over $12 million in payments, while Lula previously had corruption convictions annulled. Voting is electronic, with results expected hours after polls close.