Brazil votes: Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro decide the country's fate in the final round

Citizens of Brazil are determining their new leader today. In the second round of the presidential elections, two key figures face off: the incumbent head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the right-wing representative Flavio Bolsonaro, who is the son of the convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Race dynamics after the first round

The first round of voting took place earlier this month, where Flavio Bolsonaro gained an advantage over Lula, outpacing him by more than 2.2 million votes. At the same time, a significant portion of the electorate stayed away: out of nearly 160 million voters, over 33 million did not participate in the vote.

The situation is now becoming tense. According to the latest polls, Lula shows a trend of narrowing the gap between the candidates. To become president in Brazil, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes.

Geopolitical and social stakes

These elections are of fundamental importance for determining Brazil's future political course. Lula, who is 80 years old, is a well-known advocate of left-centre ideas. In contrast, 45-year-old Flavio Bolsonaro is a right-wing politician and an ally of the United States of America.

A potential victory for the right-wing representative could serve as an indicator of how successfully the US will be able to strengthen its influence in Latin America.

Differences in the candidates' platforms

Lula da Silva emphasises the need to continue social policies aimed at creating new jobs and overcoming poverty. Flavio Bolsonaro, conversely, promises to implement stricter measures to combat crime and ensure a "new political beginning" in the country.