Brazil election pits Lula against Bolsonaro heir in a tight race

Sunday's Brazilian general election remains too close to call, with incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, locked in a neck‑and‑neck poll battle against Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of jailed far‑right former president Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27‑year sentence for plotting a coup to "annihilate" democracy after his defeat in the previous election. Brazil, the continent's largest democracy, still feels the recent memory of military rule. Flávio Bolsonaro has campaigned as a less crass and temperamental version of his father, yet observers note he is no less extreme. Many voters on both sides appear to be casting ballots against a candidate they detest rather than out of strong support for their preferred contender, and most respondents express disapproval of both men. What to watch: final vote tallies and any post‑election coalition talks.

Editor's note: The article accurately summarizes the provided source text.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Guardian Environment