In Brazil, the presidential elections are the main topic of discussion. A candidate may become president of Brazil after winning absolute majority. However, if no candidates receive a majority of votes then the top two move on to a second round of voting. This is what has happened in Brazil’s 2018 presidential election. Jair Bolsonaro, the controversial far right candidate of Brazil won the first round of voting with 47%, however lacked the majority of 51%, and therefore will be proceeding to the second round of voting. He will be facing his rival, Fernando Haddad, in the second round. According to BBC, Haddad received 29.3% of the votes and is running for the Workers’ Party. It is likely that Bolsonaro will win, as he needs only 4% more people to vote for him. On the other hand, in order for Haddad to win he would need over 20% more of the people to vote for him.
Bolsonaro has turned many Brazilians off with his homophobic and racist comments, including, “I’d prefer [to see] a son of mine to die in an accident than [to be] a homosexual,” which he told Playboy back in 2011. Some people are even relating him to trump, describing him as “the trump of the tropics.” However, many people support him due to his ideas of looser gun control and stricter stances on crime.
Haddad recently visited former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in prison. Lula has been sent to prison for 12 years for corruption and money laundering. This visit may make it even harder for Haddad to win the election, as visiting a corrupt leader in prison and getting advice from him isn’t the best look for Haddad, with some arguing that he “should distance himself from his jailed mentor.” In keeping this connection Haddad will possibly turn some of his 29% away. However, it does solidify the voters who are the main supporters of the Workers’ Party.