Brazil elections decided today: President Bolsonaro has confidence in victory At least 72 killed by tropical storm in Philippines

Brazil’s incumbent head of state, Jair Bolsonaro, expressed the expectation of another second-round election victory for the presidency this Sunday. “The expectation is a victory – for the good of Brazil,” said the right-wing politician in Rio de Janeiro, where he cast his vote in a yellow Brazilian T-shirt. To do this, he made the victory sign. “God willing, we will be victorious today. Or rather, Brazil will prevail today.”

The decisive round of the presidential elections has begun in Brazil. In the second round, left-wing ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro will face each other. In Latin America’s largest country, more than 156 million people are eligible to vote. Lula had won the first round on October 2 — but less clearly than the polls had predicted. Now the race is considered open. The results are expected on Monday evening (CET).

For months, the election campaign was marked by serious mutual accusations and misinformation being spread on the Internet. Both candidates fought to the end for every vote. President Bolsonaro repeatedly questioned the electoral system and indicated he might not recognize the result. Some of his supporters blatantly called for a military coup.

The elections have major implications beyond Brazil’s borders. As a huge carbon reservoir, the Amazon plays an important role in the fight against global climate change. Given the tense energy and food markets caused by the war in Ukraine, Brazil, with its vast natural resources, is also an important trading partner. (aeg/sda/dpa)