Voters set to oust sitting president

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro looks set to lose power to his leftwing rival in elections today.

Right-wing Bolsonaro’s rival is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 76, a two-time former president who spent the last election in jail on corruption charges, later annulled.

The latest opinion poll, on Thursday, gave Lula the 50% of votes he needs for an outright victory in round one. Bolsonaro, 67, has stalled with 36% support. If either candidate fails to secure more than half the votes, a runoff will be held on October 30.

Polling has shown Bolsonaro’s dismissive approach to the pandemic, his belittling of environmentalists and his pro-gun stance appeal to his base, but not beyond it.