The Oct. 25 runoff pits President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, whose proposal to trim Brazil's government and promise to pardon his father if elected put the state's role at issue.
NPR reported that Flávio has proposed reducing the size of the Brazilian state, arguing that a smaller government would support economic growth. The issue surfaced in the candidates' first televised debate Sunday, when Lula challenged Flávio's interest in Argentine President Javier Milei's austerity program and cited rising poverty in Argentina.
NPR said Flávio has also promised an aggressive crackdown on organized crime, an issue many voters rank highly. Rio de Janeiro prison worker Marli Alves, 63, a Bolsonaro supporter, told NPR, “Security is awful,” and described theft at outdoor events. Lula campaigner Camila Sixel, 40, told NPR she is concerned about women's prospects, efforts against racism, social inequality and protection for vulnerable people.
NPR reported that Flávio, 45, is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest while serving a sentence for plotting to overturn the 2022 election. Flávio has promised to pardon his father if elected. The senator finished ahead of Lula in the Oct. 4 first round and carries that first-round lead into the runoff. NPR said a victory could strengthen the family's influence among Brazilian conservatives and add to right-leaning gains across Latin America.
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term after first taking office in 2003. NPR reported Lula lost support in the 2010s amid a corruption scandal and jail time; courts later annulled his convictions on procedural grounds. He narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro in 2022, NPR noted.
NPR reported that turnout and distortions on social media could affect the result. The runoff vote is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25.
