Conservative Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro led left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as more than 100 million votes were counted in one of Latin America’s most closely watched elections. They are heading for a runoff.
With the count nearing completion, Bolsonaro was leading with roughly 48% of valid votes, compared with about 44% for Lula. Neither cleared the more than 50% required for an outright first-round victory, setting up a runoff on Oct. 25.
Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and has sought to inherit his father’s conservative political movement.
Jair Bolsonaro remains a powerful figure on Brazil’s right despite being convicted by the country’s Supreme Court in a coup-plot case and sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison.
Flavio’s platform promised to fight crime, corruption, inflation, food costs, and government spending. He also said he would form a closer relationship with Washington.
The majority of people see Lula as corrupt, and they want freedom.