Brazil's tight presidential race pits Lula against Bolsonaro heir amid US meddling fears

In Brazil's presidential contest, veteran left-wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, now 80, is running for a fourth term against Flavio Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old eldest son of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula issued a video warning that a Bolsonaro win could hand the country over to U.S. geopolitical interests, a theme he also raised at the United Nations in New York. The latest Datafolha survey places Lula slightly ahead with 42 % support versus Bolsonaro’s 38 %, leaving the race too close to rule out a second round on October 25.

The campaign has been framed by both candidates as a battle for Brazil’s sovereignty, with former U.S. president Donald Trump publicly stating he is monitoring the election "very closely". The contest underscores Brazil’s role as one of the few remaining progressive strongholds in Latin America, now facing heightened external scrutiny.