Brazil votes in tight Lula-Bolsonaro runoff

Brazilians began voting Sunday in the presidential election runoff between incumbent leftist President Lula and conservative challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, following a deeply divisive campaign. The vote will determine whether Brazil remains a leftist stronghold in Latin America or shifts rightward. Lula, who turns 81 next week, trailed in the first round with 45% against Bolsonaro's 47%, and recent polls show him behind by two points, within the margin of error. Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, has promised to toughen crime policies and cut public spending, while Lula casts himself as a defender of democracy against fascism. Bolsonaro has pledged to free his father, who is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for attempting to cling to power after losing the 2022 election. Climate change was barely discussed despite Amazon deforestation hitting a four-decade low under Lula, and analysts predict a contentious term ahead regardless of the winner.