Brazilians vote Sunday as final poll shows 1.3 point gap

Brazilian voters go to the polls on Sunday to settle a presidential race that recent data suggests is nearly tied. A CNT/MDA survey released Saturday places Flavio Bolsonaro at 46.3 percent and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at 45 percent. The margin of error for that poll is 2.2 percentage points. This result follows a similar reading from a week earlier, when the same organization reported Bolsonaro leading 46.8 percent to 45.9 percent.

The campaign has moved through several stages of intense public engagement. In the first round of voting, Bolsonaro captured 47 percent of the vote while Lula received 45 percent. That initial result set the stage for the current run-off. The two candidates met for a final debate on Friday, where they discussed economic challenges and accused one another of mismanaging the country, though the tone was reportedly calmer than previous exchanges.

Saturday marked the end of the official campaign period. Lula, who is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, addressed a crowd at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. He wore a red hat and waved a Brazilian flag from a campaign truck. During his speech, he contrasted his own patriotism with the attitude of his rival. He said, "The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag."

Bolsonaro, a senator and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, held his final rally in the state of Minas Gerais. The event featured hundreds of motorcyclists wearing yellow national football shirts. Ebert Dorigo, a supporter present at the rally, told AFP that he supported Bolsonaro because he believed the current government had created a culture of dependence on welfare. Dorigo stated, "The values we uphold are nation and family," and argued that the country needed a shift in direction.

The election pits the incumbent left-wing leader against a candidate who has promised to cut government spending and add hundreds of thousands of prison places. Bolsonaro's father, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, expressed the uncertainty felt by many voters. She told AFP, "If there were any other candidate, that would be a better option. But we're stuck choosing between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil."

Voting takes place on Sunday. The outcome will determine whether Brazil continues under Lula's leadership or shifts further toward the right, a trend observed in other parts of the region. Both candidates have concluded their public campaigning as the nation prepares to cast its ballots.