Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro tied ahead of Brazil runoff

· Politics · Brazil

With under a week before Brazil's decisive presidential runoff, polls show left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro virtually tied. Lula challenged Bolsonaro to release his bank, tax and phone records, pledging to disclose his own if his rival does the same, as both grapple with graft allegations. Bolsonaro pledged to restore Perse, a tax break for the events sector, if he wins. Lula's campaign is preparing to seek the annulment of Bolsonaro's candidacy over alleged Meta 'interference'. Brazil's government also accused Argentina's Javier Milei of meddling after he called Lula a 'thief'.

Why it matters：A near-tied runoff in Latin America's largest economy will set Brazil's direction on fiscal policy, trade and institutions.

Key points

  • Polls show the runoff race virtually tied
  • Lula offered to release his records if his rival does
  • Lula's camp seeks to disqualify Bolsonaro over Meta

Sources (original reporting)

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