Brazil's Presidential Runoff: Lula and Bolsonaro Face Off in Tight Race

Brazil holds a presidential runoff on October 25 between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, with polls showing nearly equal chances. About 160 million voters are choosing a president for the next four years. Lula, 80, served as president from 2003 to 2011 and returned in 2023, citing social policies and low unemployment, though voters complain about rising living costs and violence. Bolsonaro, 45, focuses on fighting crime and has promised to free his father, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt. First-round results gave Bolsonaro 47.03% versus Lula's 45.16%, and mandatory voting may affect turnout. Police patrol polling stations amid what is called one of the most tense elections in the country's history.