Nearly 159 million people are set to head to the polls on Sunday in a critical runoff election between Brazil’s leftwing incumbent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his far-right rival, Flávio Bolsonaro. Tens of thousands of Lula's supporters gathered on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for a massive rally aimed at boosting his chances for a historic comeback.
Rally Highlights
On Saturday, under the blazing sun, red-clad crowds filled the 2.5-mile stretch of Copacabana beach, hoping to help Lula secure a dramatic victory. This election marks a significant moment, as no first-round loser has ever managed to rebound in Brazil's democratic history since the 1980s.
Josias Silva, a 61-year-old truck driver, expressed his confidence in Lula's potential to win a fourth non-consecutive term, holding a sign that read:
“"Lula re-elected. Tomorrow will be a new day."
Silva emphasized the importance of this election, stating,
“"The people have woken up. Young people know we need this victory because otherwise we will have dictatorship again – and we don’t want dictatorship. We don’t want hatred. We don’t want guns. We want a country of love."
Lula's Comeback
Silva claimed that this rally was unprecedented, stating,
“"There’s never been a demonstration like this one. This is the biggest protest in the history of Brazil. And we are going to win tomorrow with more than 60% of the votes."
However, polls indicate a tighter race, with analysts suggesting that Bolsonaro, who won the first round on October 4 with 47% to Lula's 45%, remains the slight favorite. Bolsonaro has positioned himself as a candidate who will combat Brazil's high levels of violent crime.
