Lula and Bolsonaro Face Off in Brazil's Tightest Election Yet as 159 Million Voters Head to Polls

Brazil is heading to the polls on Sunday for a presidential runoff election that has come down to the wire, with leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva facing far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a race virtually tied in recent polls [270857][270985]. Almost 159 million Brazilians are eligible to vote in the contest [270347].

Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, won the first round of voting three weeks ago with 47% to Lula's 45% — a surprising result that defied most polls and initially made him the frontrunner [270472][270857]. However, Lula's campaign has since gained momentum, and the two candidates now enter the final vote in a technical tie [270472][270857].

Both candidates made their final pitches to voters on Saturday, holding rallies across the country one day before the runoff [270985]. On Friday, the two faced off in their final debate, attacking each other over the economy, security, and corruption [270472]. Lula mocked his opponent, comparing him to "students who memorize but don't learn" and accusing him of not knowing Brazil "even a little" [270472]. He also accused Bolsonaro of "licking the boots" of US leader Donald Trump and blamed him for a 25% tariff on Brazilian imports — a charge the senator has repeatedly denied [270472]. Flávio Bolsonaro made a personal attack, calling Lula "nine fingers" during a discussion about inflation, referencing the finger Lula lost in a workplace accident at age 17 [270472].

The campaign has drawn international attention, with filmmakers Pedro Almodóvar and Guillermo del Toro, actors Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo, and other artists worldwide calling on Brazilians to vote for Lula [270472]. In a video posted on social media, Almodóvar said a victory for the progressive leader over the far-right candidate is "essential for Brazil and for the environment," while Ruffalo called on voters to "combat the fascists" [270472]. Within Brazil, Lula has received support from many leading cultural figures, including singers Caetano Veloso and Anitta, while Bolsonaro has the backing of some sertanejo music singers and football players like Neymar [270472].

Lula's re-election coalition has also reported alleged unequal treatment by Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, claiming the company favored Bolsonaro [265712]. The coalition reported the incidents to the United Nations and asked the Prosecutor General's Office and Federal Police to investigate possible illegal funding of Bolsonaro's campaign [265712]. The reported incidents include reduced reach for Lula's Instagram profiles, and WhatsApp searches for the "Lula's Army" channel suggesting the "Flávio's Troop" channel instead [265712]. Meta attributes the incidents to technical errors [265712].

Meanwhile, Lula's traditional base among Brazil's working class is showing signs of strain, with growing calls for change testing the loyalty of voters who once carried him to power [270615]. The second round on Sunday will show whether Lula can hold together his traditional base — or whether Brazil's changing workers will decide the race [270615].

Argentine President Javier Milei has also weighed in, renewing his attack on Lula by calling him a "leftist thief" and accusing him of running a "dirty campaign" [266818]. Milei said he hopes Lula will not try to "steal" Sunday's runoff — a candidate Milei has publicly endorsed [266818].