Brazilians face tight presidential decision after final rallies

Voters in Brazil will choose between two candidates with nearly identical support levels on Sunday. The CNT/MDA poll released on Saturday shows Flavio Bolsonaro leading President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by 1.3 percentage points. This margin falls within the survey's error range of 2.2 percentage points.

Lula, who is 80 years old, addressed hundreds of supporters on Saturday at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Wearing a red hat, he spoke from a campaign truck while waving a national flag. He distinguished his rival from his own stance on international alliances. "The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag," he said.

Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, held a separate rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Hundreds of motorcyclists wearing yellow national football shirts participated in the event. Ebert Dorigo, a supporter present at the gathering, told AFP that Lula's Workers' Party had promoted reliance on state welfare. He argued that the country required a shift in direction to prioritize hard work.

Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the vote in the first round of the election. Lula secured 45 percent of the vote in that same initial contest. A week before the Saturday release, the CNT/MDA poll showed Bolsonaro leading by a larger margin of 46.8 percent to 45.9 percent. The incumbent left-wing leader is seeking a fourth term that would not be consecutive.

The candidates engaged in a calmer final debate on Friday. They continued to exchange accusations regarding economic difficulties and their respective political records. Bolsonaro has proposed adding hundreds of thousands of prison cells and reducing government spending to address crime and fiscal issues. His father, who served as president from 2019 to 2022, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.

Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, described the choice as difficult for many voters. She told AFP that the current options force a selection between two unappealing candidates. "If there were any other candidate, that would be a better option. But we're stuck choosing between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil," she said.

The runoff election will determine whether Lula remains in office or if Brazil aligns with a regional shift toward the right. The campaign has featured deep divisions over economic policy, crime, and the nation's political trajectory.