Brazil election headed to runoff, projection shows, as Bolsonaro lead narrows
Flavio Bolsonaro led Brazil’s first-round presidential vote as more than half the ballots were counted, with Datafolha projecting a runoff.
TL;DR
- Flavio Bolsonaro leads Brazil's first-round presidential election with nearly 85% of votes counted, but his lead has narrowed.
- Pollster Datafolha projects the election will go to a second-round runoff between Flavio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
- A candidate needs over 50% of the vote to win in the first round; Flavio Bolsonaro's current percentage is below this.
- Private surveys had predicted Lula da Silva leading the first round, with both candidates expected to poll roughly even in a runoff.
- Analysts suggest Flavio Bolsonaro is receiving 'protest votes' from those primarily opposed to Lula da Silva.
- The election campaign has been marked by corruption scandals, economic anxiety, and accusations of US meddling.
- Both leading candidates skipped major TV debates, and the campaign offered meager policy debate.
- Concerns exist regarding Brazil's public finances and sluggish economic growth.
- Scandal surrounding the defunct Banco Master has implicated political figures, including Flavio Bolsonaro, who denies wrongdoing.
- Voters are also electing all 513 lower house members and two-thirds of the Senate.