The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election.

However, polls published late Saturday from Brazil's two biggest surveying firms showed momentum shifting toward Haddad, though he still trails Bolsonaro by a solid margin.

Former center-left candidate Ciro Gomes said in a video on social media that he would not take sides in the election campaign, withholding support for Haddad of the Workers Party (PT).

Gomes, a former governor of Ceará state in the northeast, is influential in Brazil's poorest region. His endorsement could have given Haddad a big lift in the South American country's most polarized election in a generation.

But Rodrigo Janot, Brazil's influential former prosecutor general under whose watch the country's unprecedented investigations and prosecutions of endemic political graft took place, tweeted late Saturday that he would vote for Haddad. That was a blow to Bolsonaro's work positioning himself as the only anti-corruption candidate.

"I think we are at the brink of a process that could push our democracy beyond its limits," Janot told Reuters late Saturday. "Freedom, equality and fraternity - always and at any cost."

MOMENTUM IN POLLS

Haddad narrowed Bolsonaro's lead to 8 percentage points in an Ibope poll released late Saturday, a survey that gave him 46 percent compared with Bolsonaro's 54 percent.

As only two candidates remain and those figures discard voters who say they will annul their votes, that in practice means Haddad needs to win 5 percentage points to overtake the right-winger.

In a Datafolha poll also released late Saturday, Bolsonaro had 55 percent of voter backing, compared with 45 percent for Haddad.

While Haddad failed to get Gomes to endorse him, he won the backing on Saturday not just of Janot but of Brazil's most popular YouTube host, Felipe Neto, who has 27.7 million followers on his channel. A popular anti-corruption judge, Joaquim Barbosa, who jailed several top PT leaders for corruption, also came out for Haddad.

Gomes finished third in the Oct. 7 first round vote with 12 percent of the vote, behind Bolsonaro's 46 percent and Haddad's 29 percent. Gomes had hoped to be the standard bearer of the left but was outmaneuvered by jailed PT leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption and anointed Haddad as his stand-in. [nL2N1WI0J7]

Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, is poised to become Brazil's first far-right president since the end of the 1964-1985 military dictatorship. The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has promised to crack down on crime and corruption, pitching himself as the anti-establishment candidate for voters fed up with political graft and violent crime.

Bolsonaro's sudden rise comes as Brazil finds itself in its worst recession and embroiled in its biggest corruption scandal after the leftist PT ran the government for 13 of the last 15 years.

Until his presidential run, Bolsonaro was best known for defending the former military regime and its use of torture. He has faced charges for misogynist, racist and homophobic rants.

The Supreme Court rejected the racism charge, but has not ruled on a charge of inciting to rape in a case in which he told a fellow lawmaker she was not pretty enough to rape. He called the case political persecution.

'SWEETENING' BOLSONARO

A week ago, Bolsonaro vowed to run all the "red" leftists out of Brazil or put them in jail, harsh words that probably contributed to the narrowing of his lead.

YouTuber Neto said he had been neutral until that point. "Everything changed when (Bolsonaro) said he will sweep opponents out of the country or into jail. In 16 years of PT I have been robbed, but never threatened," Neto said by Twitter.

In the final two days of campaigning, Bolsonaro has sounded more moderate in his statements, backing down on a plan to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change accord.

On Friday he told Xingú tribes people they had a right to charge royalties for mining and hydro electric power generation on their reservations, a proposal welcomed by some natives but rejected by anthropologists and environmentalists who see the tribes as the last guardians of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity.

"You are as Brazilian as any of us," he said in a video posted on social media. "I want you to have the right to use your land and exploit its biodiversity and mineral riches."

In his final hours of campaigning in Sao Paulo, Haddad accused the Bolsonaro camp of "sweetening" their candidate to make him appear what he is not. "He is a truculent and dangerous person, and that's how he should be presented to the nation," he said.

The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election.

The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election. However, polls published late Saturday from Brazil's two biggest surveying firms showed momentum shifting toward Haddad, though he still trails Bolsonaro by a solid margin. Former center-left candidate Ciro Gomes said in a video on social media that he would not take sides in the election campaign, withholding support for Haddad of the Workers Party (PT). Gomes, a former governor of Ceará state in the northeast, is influential in Brazil's poorest region. His endorsement could have given Haddad a big lift in the South American country's most polarized election in a generation. But Rodrigo Janot, Brazil's influential former prosecutor general under whose watch the country's unprecedented investigations and prosecutions of endemic political graft took place, tweeted late Saturday that he would vote for Haddad. That was a blow to Bolsonaro's work positioning himself as the only anti-corruption candidate. "I think we are at the brink of a process that could push our democracy beyond its limits," Janot told Reuters late Saturday. "Freedom, equality and fraternity - always and at any cost." MOMENTUM IN POLLS Haddad narrowed Bolsonaro's lead to 8 percentage points in an Ibope poll released late Saturday, a survey that gave him 46 percent compared with Bolsonaro's 54 percent. As only two candidates remain and those figures discard voters who say they will annul their votes, that in practice means Haddad needs to win 5 percentage points to overtake the right-winger. In a Datafolha poll also released late Saturday, Bolsonaro had 55 percent of voter backing, compared with 45 percent for Haddad. While Haddad failed to get Gomes to endorse him, he won the backing on Saturday not just of Janot but of Brazil's most popular YouTube host, Felipe Neto, who has 27.7 million followers on his channel. A popular anti-corruption judge, Joaquim Barbosa, who jailed several top PT leaders for corruption, also came out for Haddad. Gomes finished third in the Oct. 7 first round vote with 12 percent of the vote, behind Bolsonaro's 46 percent and Haddad's 29 percent. Gomes had hoped to be the standard bearer of the left but was outmaneuvered by jailed PT leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption and anointed Haddad as his stand-in. [nL2N1WI0J7] Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, is poised to become Brazil's first far-right president since the end of the 1964-1985 military dictatorship. The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has promised to crack down on crime and corruption, pitching himself as the anti-establishment candidate for voters fed up with political graft and violent crime. Bolsonaro's sudden rise comes as Brazil finds itself in its worst recession and embroiled in its biggest corruption scandal after the leftist PT ran the government for 13 of the last 15 years. Until his presidential run, Bolsonaro was best known for defending the former military regime and its use of torture. He has faced charges for misogynist, racist and homophobic rants. The Supreme Court rejected the racism charge, but has not ruled on a charge of inciting to rape in a case in which he told a fellow lawmaker she was not pretty enough to rape. He called the case political persecution. 'SWEETENING' BOLSONARO A week ago, Bolsonaro vowed to run all the "red" leftists out of Brazil or put them in jail, harsh words that probably contributed to the narrowing of his lead. YouTuber Neto said he had been neutral until that point. "Everything changed when (Bolsonaro) said he will sweep opponents out of the country or into jail. In 16 years of PT I have been robbed, but never threatened," Neto said by Twitter. In the final two days of campaigning, Bolsonaro has sounded more moderate in his statements, backing down on a plan to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change accord. On Friday he told Xingú tribes people they had a right to charge royalties for mining and hydro electric power generation on their reservations, a proposal welcomed by some natives but rejected by anthropologists and environmentalists who see the tribes as the last guardians of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity. "You are as Brazilian as any of us," he said in a video posted on social media. "I want you to have the right to use your land and exploit its biodiversity and mineral riches." In his final hours of campaigning in Sao Paulo, Haddad accused the Bolsonaro camp of "sweetening" their candidate to make him appear what he is not. "He is a truculent and dangerous person, and that's how he should be presented to the nation," he said.

Brazil leftist's hopes of catching Bolsonaro slim, but gap narrows

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday.

Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators.

In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters.

Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll.

"Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo.

"If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?"

There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT).

Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week. But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators. In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters. Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll. "Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo. "If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?" There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT). Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazil fears more violence as they brace for far-right presidency

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job.

Here's what you need to know:

How important are the elections?

Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies out there, one of the BRICS and Latin America's biggest democracy.&nbsp;

Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's 8th-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China. &nbsp;

Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped away much of a preceding decade of prosperity.

Who is Bolsonaro?

Out of a field of 13 presidential candidates, Bolsonaro is by far the most controversial and polarizing.&nbsp;

Once an army captain, he has been a deputy in Brazil's congress since 1991, during which he became known for offensive remarks against women, gays and Brazil's mostly black poor.&nbsp;

But he also has a healthy polling lead over rivals -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters.&nbsp;

Massive protests by Brazilian women have been held against Bolsonaro.

Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in congress that would help him govern if he wins the presidency.

A stabbing attack by a lone knifeman last month as he campaigned only increased sympathy for him -- and for his pledge to be ruthless with street criminals.

Is he a shoo-in?

Not yet. Sunday is the first round of the presidential elections. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, then a second, knockout round will be held on October 28 between the two with the highest scores.

Bolsonaro boasts he will win outright on Sunday and Brazilians can go to the beach instead on October 28. But analysts say that while a first-round victory can't be excluded, the polling numbers available make it unlikely.&nbsp;

In a second round, the outcome would be uncertain. Surveys suggest Bolsonaro would be neck-and-neck with his nearest rival, leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is in jail for bribery.

Against the candidate currently trailing in third place, center-left politician Ciro Gomes, Bolsonaro would likely lose, recent polls show.

What changes does he promise?&nbsp;

If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes.

He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime.

Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiraling public debt.

In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his manifesto says.

That looks like a reference particularly to neighboring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil.&nbsp;

Instead, it would turn more towards countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy.

"We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he told a Brazilian TV station, Record, late Thursday.

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job.

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job. Here's what you need to know: How important are the elections? Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies out there, one of the BRICS and Latin America's biggest democracy. Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's 8th-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China. Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped away much of a preceding decade of prosperity. Who is Bolsonaro? Out of a field of 13 presidential candidates, Bolsonaro is by far the most controversial and polarizing. Once an army captain, he has been a deputy in Brazil's congress since 1991, during which he became known for offensive remarks against women, gays and Brazil's mostly black poor. But he also has a healthy polling lead over rivals -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters. Massive protests by Brazilian women have been held against Bolsonaro. Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in congress that would help him govern if he wins the presidency. A stabbing attack by a lone knifeman last month as he campaigned only increased sympathy for him -- and for his pledge to be ruthless with street criminals. Is he a shoo-in? Not yet. Sunday is the first round of the presidential elections. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, then a second, knockout round will be held on October 28 between the two with the highest scores. Bolsonaro boasts he will win outright on Sunday and Brazilians can go to the beach instead on October 28. But analysts say that while a first-round victory can't be excluded, the polling numbers available make it unlikely. In a second round, the outcome would be uncertain. Surveys suggest Bolsonaro would be neck-and-neck with his nearest rival, leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is in jail for bribery. Against the candidate currently trailing in third place, center-left politician Ciro Gomes, Bolsonaro would likely lose, recent polls show. What changes does he promise? If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes. He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime. Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiraling public debt. In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his manifesto says. That looks like a reference particularly to neighboring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil. Instead, it would turn more towards countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy. "We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he told a Brazilian TV station, Record, late Thursday.

Brazil is choosing a new president; here's what you need to know

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