Brazil’s Lula and Bolsonaro close campaigns ahead of critical election

Latest polls suggest Lula’s lead over Bolsonaro is narrowing, with neither candidate likely to win outright on Sunday.Published On 4 Oct 20264 Oct 2026Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro have wrapped up their election campaigns, each voicing confidence in victory ahead of Sunday’s tightly contested first-round presidential vote.Lula, 80, closed his re-election bid on Saturday with a march through Sao Paulo, Brazil’s economic powerhouse, drawing what his campaign called a record crowd for a closing rally.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3A political dynasty? Why the Bolsonaro family dominates Brazil’s right winglist 2 of 3Election debate cancelled in Brazil, bomb scare outside Supreme Courtlist 3 of 3How the Banco Master scandal injected chaos into Brazil’s presidential raceend of list“Tomorrow, we’re going to win the elections in the first round,” he told supporters, describing Sunday’s vote as a choice between “democracy and barbarism” and promising to “defeat the far right”.He has also framed the election as a test of Brazil’s sovereignty, warning against “meddling” by Washington.Bolsonaro led a motorcycle caravan thro...