Brazils Presidential Election Sees Tied Outcome Between Lula and Bolsonaro

Brazil Presidential Election Tightens as Flavio Bolsonaro Faces Scrutiny

A new poll released by Datafolha on Saturday has reaffirmed the tight race for Brazil’s presidency this year. The survey, which polled nearly 2,000 respondents, found that incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro are tied in a head-to-head contest.

Lula, who is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term, has been campaigning on social programmes to reduce hunger and increase federal assistance to the poor. His opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, is hoping to continue his father’s far-right political legacy. The eldest son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio is a senator representing Rio de Janeiro.

The latest poll results put Lula and Bolsonaro in a dead heat, with both candidates receiving 45% of the polled voter support. However, the poll was conducted before the latest scandal involving Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign gained public traction. On May 13, The Intercept Brasil reported on leaked WhatsApp messages between Bolsonaro and a banker arrested for an alleged fraud scheme, Daniel Vorcaro.

According to The Intercept’s reporting, Flavio Bolsonaro and his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro had solicited funding from Vorcaro, who pledged $24m to the film project. Flavio Bolsonaro acknowledged that he had reached out for financing but denied any connection to Vorcaro’s alleged fraud scheme.

The controversy over the Dark Horse film is not the only scandal to have rocked Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign in recent months. In December, he entered the presidential race with his imprisoned father’s blessing, and later faced criticism for statements suggesting he might withdraw from the race in exchange for his father’s freedom. The Supreme Court has also given the go-ahead for federal police to investigate whether Flavio Bolsonaro made defamatory statements about Lula.

The poll results come ahead of October’s generation election, which will determine Brazil’s next president.

Source: Al Jazeera