Brazil's Presidential Race Ends in 50 Percent Tie
A final survey released two days before the runoff vote shows President Lula and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro at parity, erasing the challenger's recent lead.
By Marco Graham ·
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro ended their campaign tied at 50 percent in the latest polling. The Datafolha institute released the survey on Thursday, two days before the Sunday runoff vote. This result erases a four-point lead Bolsonaro held in polls published two weeks prior.
The two candidates met for their final debate on Friday night in Rio de Janeiro. The event was broadcast by TV Globo. Analysts noted the tone was more diplomatic than their first meeting on Sunday. Despite the shift in tone, the exchange remained heated at times, with both men focusing on the economy and public safety.
Lula challenged Bolsonaro's plan to cut public spending. He compared the proposal to the approach taken by Argentine President Javier Milei. Bolsonaro responded by arguing that Lula had left the country in debt. 'I'll have the same job here because you're leaving the country bankrupt,' Bolsonaro said.
The candidates also clashed on crime and living costs. Bolsonaro accused the incumbent of allowing organized crime to grow and of failing to control prices. Lula criticized his rival's lack of experience with daily life. 'He doesn't know what hunger is,' Lula said. Bolsonaro countered by asking why goods remained expensive for voters.
Tensions rose when Bolsonaro used the nickname 'Nine Fingers' for Lula. The term refers to a machine accident Lula suffered while working as a metalworker. The 80-year-old president demanded an apology, which Bolsonaro provided. Lula later called Bolsonaro a vigilante, citing allegations of ties to paramilitary groups in Rio. Bolsonaro said he would label such groups narcoterrorists.
Bolsonaro finished first in the initial round of voting on October 4. He received 47 percent of the vote, while Lula received 45 percent. The current tie suggests a closer contest than previous projections indicated.
Both candidates plan to campaign in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo over the weekend. They are scheduled to make their final pitches to voters before the polls close on Sunday.
