In Brazil, left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his conservative rival, Flavio Bolsonaro, ended their campaign on Saturday October 3 with large crowds, each saying they were confident of their victory in the first round, in a deeply polarized country where this presidential election is a real social choice.
Lula, who is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term at almost 81 years old, traveled through the megalopolis Sao Paulo followed by a red tide – the color of his Workers’ Party (PT) – which paralyzed the famous Paulista Avenue.
The former trade unionist raised the standard of sovereignty during the campaign, warning against interference from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who said he was following the election “very closely”.
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“I will fight with all my strength (…) for the Brazilian people, who will defeat the extreme right,” launched the outgoing president. In his eyes, the election boils down to the fight between “democracy and sovereignty” on one side, and “barbarism and corruption” on the other. “Tomorrow we will win the elections in the first round,” he assured.
It was already in Sao Paulo that he ended his campaign four years ago, when he narrowly beat his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, father of his main rival this year, in the second round.
Supporters of left-wing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in front of a giant banner bearing his image during a campaign rally in Rio, October 2, 2026 © Luis ROBAYO / AFP
As his father currently under house arrest did, Flavio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator, summoned hundreds of bikers for a procession about 400 km away.
He hopes to ride the right-wing wave, encouraged by the Trump administration, which has swept across Latin America in recent years, after Argentina and Colombia.
“Come on, Brazil wants a change!” urged the parliamentarian in a video, calling for a decision “in one go on Sunday” and thus avoiding a second round on October 25.
The two favorites are neck and neck in the latest polls and neither is approaching 50%, suggesting a runoff will be necessary.
“Make Lula president again”
At Lula’s call, thousands of sympathizers marched in Sao Paulo, some wearing caps or t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Make Lula president again”. A nod to the Trumpian slogan “Make America great again”.
“Brazil needs someone who defends the colors of our flag, not someone who wants to deliver it to the United States,” said Tiago Lorureto, a 35-year-old accountant.
Brazilian President Lula waves the national flag during a campaign rally on the eve of the first round of the presidential election, October 3, 2026 in Sao Paulo. © Luis Robayo, AFP
Donald Trump has not openly supported Flavio Bolsonaro, but he received him at the White House in May.
The American president is an ally of Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempted coup d’état against Lula.
“Trump must intervene”
“Trump must intervene. (…) Today, we do not live in a democracy. We, simple people, cannot have a dignified life,” regrets Eliane Boscolo, a 47-year-old housewife.
She joined a park in the town of Santa Barbara d’Oeste, where lines of motorcycles and 4x4s formed for the procession called “Victory Caravan”. Led by Flavio Bolsonaro, the demonstration traveled around twenty kilometers to the neighboring town of Americana.
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Flavio Bolsonaro, seeking to capitalize on discontent over the cost of living and insecurity, wore the national soccer team’s yellow jersey with the words “My party is Brazil.”
Unlike his father, he did not ride a motorcycle, but was perched on a truck at the head of the procession.
Brazil’s conservative presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, greets supporters on the eve of the vote, October 3, 2026 in Santa Barbara d’Oeste. © Nelson Almeida, AFP
Lula and son Bolsonaro launched relentless attacks before the election. But there was no direct confrontation between them during televised debates.
The campaign was strewn with scandals, which splashed the conservative senator himself, targeted by an investigation for corruption and money laundering.
Conservative candidate Flavio Bolsonaro greets supporters from a truck at the head of the procession on the eve of the presidential election, October 3, 2026, in Santa Barbara d’Oeste, Brazil. © Nelson Almeida, AFP
The right constantly reminds that Lula was imprisoned in 2018-2019 for corruption, a conviction subsequently annulled on procedural grounds.
On the eve of the first round, some are still having trouble deciding, such as Patricia Catherine de Sousa, 35, resident of Rio de Janeiro: “As it’s already tomorrow, I’m doing research to be able to vote well, so as not to regret it afterwards.”
With AFP
