Donald Trump's influence is increasingly becoming a talking point in Brazil's presidential race, as candidates and voters debate the impact of global political trends on the country's future. With Brazil preparing for a closely watched election, Trump's policies, rhetoric, and international profile are shaping conversations around leadership, conservatism, and governance. This report examines how the U.S. president's shadow is being felt in Brazil's political landscape and what it could mean for the election outcome.

Donald Trump Emerges As A Factor In Brazil's Presidential Race 

Brazil's President "Lula" da Silva has publicly accused the country's security forces of negligence and collusion with far-right protesters.

Brazil Riots: President Lula da Silva accuses security forces of complicity

Lula's inauguration in pics: Brazilians welcome their new president with pomp and show

Brazil’s Supreme Court has temporarily banned carrying guns in the capital Brasilia ahead of the swearing-in of Brazilian President-elect&nbsp;Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva&nbsp;on January 1.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the ban order will take effect on Wednesday, and it will remain till January 2, the day after Lula’s inauguration, reports Reuters news agency.

In his ruling, Moraes wrote that “terrorist groups financed by shameless magnates” have been committing crimes against the rule of law in recent weeks, which is why public safety had to be made secure via a temporary firearms ban.

According to the court’s order, if anyone was found carrying arms in Brasilia in violation of the decree, they would be prosecuted for illegally carrying a weapon.

The Supreme Court made the ruling at the request of da Silva’s team days after police arrested a man on suspicion of planting and possessing explosive devices at Brasilia International Airport.

<h2>Brazil: Bolsonaro breaks post-election silence, calls for 'military coup'</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-bolsonaro-breaks-post-election-silence-calls-for-military-coup-541813/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to reports, the 54-year-old man, who worked at a gas station, had ties with pro-Bolsonaro militia supporters camped outside the army headquarters.

Upcoming Justice Minister Flavio Dino hailed the court’s ruling, saying that it would bolster security during the swearing-in ceremony.

The latest measure is being taken to thwart any unforeseen circumstances during the ceremony as incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro has been casting doubts on the country’s electoral result after his defeat to Lula on October 30.

Thousands of protesters have been camping at military barracks across the country, asking the army to step in as they falsely claim that the election was stolen.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Brazil’s Supreme Court has temporarily banned carrying guns in the capital Brasilia ahead of the swearing-in of Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on January 1.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has temporarily banned carrying guns in the capital Brasilia ahead of the swearing-in of Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on January 1. Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the ban order will take effect on Wednesday, and it will remain till January 2, the day after Lula’s inauguration, reports Reuters news agency. In his ruling, Moraes wrote that “terrorist groups financed by shameless magnates” have been committing crimes against the rule of law in recent weeks, which is why public safety had to be made secure via a temporary firearms ban. According to the court’s order, if anyone was found carrying arms in Brasilia in violation of the decree, they would be prosecuted for illegally carrying a weapon. The Supreme Court made the ruling at the request of da Silva’s team days after police arrested a man on suspicion of planting and possessing explosive devices at Brasilia International Airport. Brazil: Bolsonaro breaks post-election silence, calls for 'military coup' According to reports, the 54-year-old man, who worked at a gas station, had ties with pro-Bolsonaro militia supporters camped outside the army headquarters. Upcoming Justice Minister Flavio Dino hailed the court’s ruling, saying that it would bolster security during the swearing-in ceremony. The latest measure is being taken to thwart any unforeseen circumstances during the ceremony as incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro has been casting doubts on the country’s electoral result after his defeat to Lula on October 30. Thousands of protesters have been camping at military barracks across the country, asking the army to step in as they falsely claim that the election was stolen. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Brazil temporarily bans guns in capital ahead of President-elect Lula’s swearing-in ceremony

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has challenged the result of the election he lost last month to leftist opponent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, alleging that ballots from some polling machines should be "invalidated."

According to Bolsonaro's alliance, certain electronic voting equipment used in the second-round runoff between Bolsonaro and Lula on October 30 showed "signs of irreparable... malfunction."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Bolsonaro formally concede?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-bolsonaro-formally-concede-530669/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They claim that older models of the voting machines showed "signs of serious failures that generate uncertainties and make it impossible to validate the results generated". As a result, they argued that the votes cast by those models should be "invalidated."

Despite allowing his cabinet to start making plans for a presidential transition, Bolsonaro hasn't acknowledged the election loss publically.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-military-finds-no-proof-of-electoral-fraud-thwarting-hopes-of-bolsonaro-supporters-532823">Brazil military finds no proof of electoral fraud, dashes hopes of Bolsonaro supporters</a>

Given that the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has confirmed Lula's victory and that it has been accepted by influential Brazilian politicians and foreign allies, Bolsonaro's claim is unlikely to succeed. However, as per the report, it could bolster a modest but persistent protest movement that has thus far refrained from accepting the vote.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaros-son-says-leaving-the-country-not-an-option-but-applies-for-italian-citizenship-533188">Bolsonaro's son says 'leaving the country not an option' but applies for Italian citizenship</a>

In a decision seen by Reuters, Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court justice who presently chairs the TSE, stated that Bolsonaro's right-wing electoral coalition, must present its full audit for both rounds of last month's election within 24 hours or he will reject it.

The head of operations at FB Capital, Fernando Bergallo, as per Reuters has predicted that Bolsonaro's attempt to overturn the election results would fail but would add "pessimism on top of everything we already have."

Bolsonaro has for years claimed that the country's electronic voting system is susceptible to fraud. However, he is yet to provide any evidence substantiating his claims.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has challenged the result of the election he lost last month to leftist opponent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, alleging that ballots from some polling machines should be "invalidated.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has challenged the result of the election he lost last month to leftist opponent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, alleging that ballots from some polling machines should be "invalidated." According to Bolsonaro's alliance, certain electronic voting equipment used in the second-round runoff between Bolsonaro and Lula on October 30 showed "signs of irreparable... malfunction." Watch | Gravitas: Will Bolsonaro formally concede? They claim that older models of the voting machines showed "signs of serious failures that generate uncertainties and make it impossible to validate the results generated". As a result, they argued that the votes cast by those models should be "invalidated." Despite allowing his cabinet to start making plans for a presidential transition, Bolsonaro hasn't acknowledged the election loss publically. Also read | Brazil military finds no proof of electoral fraud, dashes hopes of Bolsonaro supporters Given that the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has confirmed Lula's victory and that it has been accepted by influential Brazilian politicians and foreign allies, Bolsonaro's claim is unlikely to succeed. However, as per the report, it could bolster a modest but persistent protest movement that has thus far refrained from accepting the vote. Also read | Bolsonaro's son says 'leaving the country not an option' but applies for Italian citizenship In a decision seen by Reuters, Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court justice who presently chairs the TSE, stated that Bolsonaro's right-wing electoral coalition, must present its full audit for both rounds of last month's election within 24 hours or he will reject it. The head of operations at FB Capital, Fernando Bergallo, as per Reuters has predicted that Bolsonaro's attempt to overturn the election results would fail but would add "pessimism on top of everything we already have." Bolsonaro has for years claimed that the country's electronic voting system is susceptible to fraud. However, he is yet to provide any evidence substantiating his claims. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazil's Bolsonaro contests election results, alleges voting machines had 'signs of serious failures'

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro became the first sitting president since the 1990s to lose the presidential runoff election.

Bolsonaro, who could secure only 49.10 per cent of votes, lost to the leftist former leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won 50.90 per cent of the votes, on Sunday.&nbsp;

Local media reported that there is a high chance of Bolsonaro not accepting his defeat in the elections following the footsteps of his model Donald Trump.

The reign of the hardline far-right leader, who is dubbed the&nbsp;“Donald Trump of Brazil”, was marred by the disastrous handling of the Covid pandemic which left more than 680,000 dead,&nbsp;&nbsp;attacks on democratic institutions and the worst deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in 15 years.

Watch | Brazil Presidential Polls: Lula da Silva wins elections again at the age of 77 with 50.90% of votes

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-presidential-polls-lula-da-silva-wins-elections-again-at-the-age-of-77-with-5090-of-votes-529936/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He rode to electoral victory four years ago by promising to clean up politics, shrink the state and crack down on crime.&nbsp;

Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councillor.

Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-the-newly-elected-president-of-brazil-with-a-chequered-past-529734" hreflang="en">Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: The new president of Brazil with a chequered past</a>

He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks.

In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping."

In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay.

In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship.

With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days - earning the nickname "Big Horse."

Bolsonaro has four sons - three of them politicians - and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro became the first sitting president since the 1990s to lose the presidential runoff election. Bolsonaro, who could secure only 49.10 per cent of votes, lost to the leftist former leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won 50.

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro became the first sitting president since the 1990s to lose the presidential runoff election. Bolsonaro, who could secure only 49.10 per cent of votes, lost to the leftist former leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won 50.90 per cent of the votes, on Sunday. Local media reported that there is a high chance of Bolsonaro not accepting his defeat in the elections following the footsteps of his model Donald Trump. The reign of the hardline far-right leader, who is dubbed the “Donald Trump of Brazil”, was marred by the disastrous handling of the Covid pandemic which left more than 680,000 dead, attacks on democratic institutions and the worst deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in 15 years. Watch | Brazil Presidential Polls: Lula da Silva wins elections again at the age of 77 with 50.90% of votes × He rode to electoral victory four years ago by promising to clean up politics, shrink the state and crack down on crime. Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councillor. Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since. Also read | Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: The new president of Brazil with a chequered past He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks. In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping." In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay. In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship. With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days - earning the nickname "Big Horse." Bolsonaro has four sons - three of them politicians - and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro becomes first sitting president to lose re-election bid

Will Brazil elections decide Amazon's fate? Presidential candidate Lula promises to conserve the Amazon. Amazon forests are at risk due to large-scale deforestation.

WION Climate Tracker: Brazil elections to decide Amazon's fate? Lula promises to conserve the Amazon

A new report by the human rights organisation Global Witness claims that YouTube and Facebook have contributed to the spread of disinformation during the ongoing election campaign in Brazil.

According to the report, the social platforms have allowed misleading campaign ads to be posted as the race between President Jair Bolsonaro and challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva heats up. The ads included fake information, doctored images and misleading news about both the candidates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-fighter-jet-released-missile-near-british-aircraft-over-black-sea-527105">Russian fighter jet released missile near British RAF aircraft over Black Sea</a>

“It’s frankly shocking that these massive firms with the technological prowess they clearly have, are unable to weed out such blatant disinformation being pushed onto their users,” said Jon Lloyd, Global Witness’s senior adviser, according to a report in The Guardian.

“If it wasn’t already obvious it should now be undeniable to even the biggest sceptic – social media firms are fundamentally failing in their responsibility to stop democratic processes being undermined by false, misleading and purposeful deceit,” he added.

The report identified 11 ads which ran on Facebook and more than 20 ads which ran on YouTube to fall under the “disinformation” category, and they were allowed to stay on the platform for 30 days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-yen-hits-150-mark-against-us-dollar-worst-since-august-1990-527077" hreflang="en">Japanese yen hits 150-mark against US dollar - worst since August 1990</a>

The accusations were refuted by Meta – the parent company of Facebook – and the spokesperson said that they have rejected 135,000 Brazil-related ad submissions till September 30.

“These reports were based on a very small sample of ads,” the official statement from the company stated according to The Guardian, “and are not representative given the number of political ads we review daily across the world.”

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A new report by the human rights organisation Global Witness claims that YouTube and Facebook have contributed to the spread of disinformation during the ongoing election campaign in Brazil.

A new report by the human rights organisation Global Witness claims that YouTube and Facebook have contributed to the spread of disinformation during the ongoing election campaign in Brazil. According to the report, the social platforms have allowed misleading campaign ads to be posted as the race between President Jair Bolsonaro and challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva heats up. The ads included fake information, doctored images and misleading news about both the candidates. Also read | Russian fighter jet released missile near British RAF aircraft over Black Sea “It’s frankly shocking that these massive firms with the technological prowess they clearly have, are unable to weed out such blatant disinformation being pushed onto their users,” said Jon Lloyd, Global Witness’s senior adviser, according to a report in The Guardian. “If it wasn’t already obvious it should now be undeniable to even the biggest sceptic – social media firms are fundamentally failing in their responsibility to stop democratic processes being undermined by false, misleading and purposeful deceit,” he added. The report identified 11 ads which ran on Facebook and more than 20 ads which ran on YouTube to fall under the “disinformation” category, and they were allowed to stay on the platform for 30 days. Also read | Japanese yen hits 150-mark against US dollar - worst since August 1990 The accusations were refuted by Meta – the parent company of Facebook – and the spokesperson said that they have rejected 135,000 Brazil-related ad submissions till September 30. “These reports were based on a very small sample of ads,” the official statement from the company stated according to The Guardian, “and are not representative given the number of political ads we review daily across the world.”

YouTube and Facebook letting disinformation spread during Brazil election: Report

"I'd eat an Indian, no problem at all," boasted Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro in an interview several years ago, referring to the country's indigenous community. Now, the video has been unearthed in the run-up to the Presidential election run-off and the opposition is trying to weaponise it.

As Brazil gears up for the October 30th runoffs, the political and "smear" campaigns by the two main contenders; right-wing Jair Bolsonaro and leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are heating up rapidly.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Brazil: Bolsonaro calls Lula 'drunk' ahead of runoff

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-bolsonaro-calls-lula-drunk-ahead-of-runoff-523567/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a series of ads, Lula has been quick to point out the various blunders his rival has made. One video, which an electoral judge has now banned, unearthed a damning interview that Bolsonaro gave to a foreign journalist.

The cannibalism statement has taken the internet by surprise. It was uttered by Bolsonaro in 2016 during an interview with Simon Romero, a New York Times journalist.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-war-in-ukraine-would-not-have-happened-if-donald-trump-was-still-in-power-says-jair-bolsonaro-523466" hreflang="en">'The war in Ukraine would not have happened' if Donald Trump was 'still in power,' says Jair Bolsonaro</a>

As per a Guardian report of the interview which is in Portuguese, Bolsonaro describes the destitution he witnessed during a visit to Haiti. He starts by discussing the "unhygienic" Haitian women involved in the sex trade and switches to making claims about what he claims was a cannibalistic ritual practised by the indigenous Yanomami community in northern Roraima state.

"There was this time I was in Surucuru … and an Indian had died and they were cooking him. They cook Indians. It’s their culture," claims Bolsonaro to the confounded interviewer, who then asks him "Their bodies?"

Bolsonaro confirms this and then goes on to make claims about a "ritual".

“They cook it for two or three days and then eat it with banana."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>"I wanted to see an Indian being cooked but the guy said if you go, you have to eat it. ‘I’ll eat it,’ I said. But no one else in my group wanted to go … so I didn’t go. But I’d eat an Indian, no problem at all. It’s their culture."</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I wanted to see an Indian being cooked but the guy said if you go, you have to eat it. ‘I’ll eat it,’ I said. But no one else in my group wanted to go … so I didn’t go. But I’d eat an Indian, no problem at all. It’s their culture." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">×</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Lula's ad then has an off-camera narrator say: "After all the absurdities Brazil has heard from Bolsonaro, here's another, even more horrifying: he reveals that he would eat human flesh. Brazil can no longer put up with Bolsonaro."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨AGORA: Bolsonaro vai ao TSE contra propaganda de Lula mostrando que o presidente já considerou comer carne humana. 
 
Bolsonaro não quer que esse vídeo viralize, então não deem RT nesse tweet. Repito: não espalhem!!! <a href="https://t.co/X8XGR2UAGk">pic.twitter.com/X8XGR2UAGk</a>
— CHOQUEI (@choquei) <a href="https://twitter.com/choquei/status/1578407854431948800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-and-lula-garner-significant-endorsements-as-they-ready-for-brazils-presidential-runoffs-522649">Bolsonaro, Lula garner significant endorsements as they prepare for Brazil's presidential runoff</a>

Since the ad and the interview went viral a Yanomami leader, Junior Hekurari has categorically denied that his culture practices cannibalistic rituals.

Judge Paulo de Tarso Sanseverino of the Superior Electoral Tribunal who had the ad taken down said that it was "out of context," and that the interview had been edited to change its original meaning, "suggesting that the candidate could accept the possibility of consuming human flesh in any circumstance."

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

"I'd eat an Indian, no problem at all," boasted Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro in an interview several years ago, referring to the country's indigenous community.

"I'd eat an Indian, no problem at all," boasted Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro in an interview several years ago, referring to the country's indigenous community. Now, the video has been unearthed in the run-up to the Presidential election run-off and the opposition is trying to weaponise it. As Brazil gears up for the October 30th runoffs, the political and "smear" campaigns by the two main contenders; right-wing Jair Bolsonaro and leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are heating up rapidly. Watch | Brazil: Bolsonaro calls Lula 'drunk' ahead of runoff In a series of ads, Lula has been quick to point out the various blunders his rival has made. One video, which an electoral judge has now banned, unearthed a damning interview that Bolsonaro gave to a foreign journalist. The cannibalism statement has taken the internet by surprise. It was uttered by Bolsonaro in 2016 during an interview with Simon Romero, a New York Times journalist. Also read | 'The war in Ukraine would not have happened' if Donald Trump was 'still in power,' says Jair Bolsonaro As per a Guardian report of the interview which is in Portuguese, Bolsonaro describes the destitution he witnessed during a visit to Haiti. He starts by discussing the "unhygienic" Haitian women involved in the sex trade and switches to making claims about what he claims was a cannibalistic ritual practised by the indigenous Yanomami community in northern Roraima state. "There was this time I was in Surucuru … and an Indian had died and they were cooking him. They cook Indians. It’s their culture," claims Bolsonaro to the confounded interviewer, who then asks him "Their bodies?" Bolsonaro confirms this and then goes on to make claims about a "ritual". “They cook it for two or three days and then eat it with banana." "I wanted to see an Indian being cooked but the guy said if you go, you have to eat it. ‘I’ll eat it,’ I said. But no one else in my group wanted to go … so I didn’t go. But I’d eat an Indian, no problem at all. It’s their culture." × Lula's ad then has an off-camera narrator say: "After all the absurdities Brazil has heard from Bolsonaro, here's another, even more horrifying: he reveals that he would eat human flesh. Brazil can no longer put up with Bolsonaro." 🚨AGORA: Bolsonaro vai ao TSE contra propaganda de Lula mostrando que o presidente já considerou comer carne humana. Bolsonaro não quer que esse vídeo viralize, então não deem RT nesse tweet. Repito: não espalhem!!! pic.twitter.com/X8XGR2UAGk — CHOQUEI (@choquei) October 7, 2022 × Also read | Bolsonaro, Lula garner significant endorsements as they prepare for Brazil's presidential runoff Since the ad and the interview went viral a Yanomami leader, Junior Hekurari has categorically denied that his culture practices cannibalistic rituals. Judge Paulo de Tarso Sanseverino of the Superior Electoral Tribunal who had the ad taken down said that it was "out of context," and that the interview had been edited to change its original meaning, "suggesting that the candidate could accept the possibility of consuming human flesh in any circumstance." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'I'd eat an Indian': Bolsonaro's old video goes viral, Brazil oppn slams him

Lula da Silva, a left-wing former president, finished in first place Sunday in Brazil's presidential election, but failed to secure enough votes for an outright victory and will face right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in an October 30 run-off.

Brazil Presidential Polls: Jair Bolsonaro to face Lula da Silva in run-off

What is driving tensions ahead of Brazil's presidential election?

Bolsonaro knocks Brazil’s voting system

As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Da Silva accused his far-right rival of taking a page out of the American far-right&nbsp;politician's following Bolsonaro's attacks on the country's electronic voting system.&nbsp;

AFP reports that Bolsonaro frequently asserts, with little proof, that the system is fraudulent, generating concerns that, should he lose the election in Brazil in October, he might not accept the results.

Watch |&nbsp;Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-attends-religious-rally-in-an-attempt-to-woo-voters-496044/embed" width="560"></iframe>

In a conversation with foreign correspondents, Lula claimed that Bolsonaro "has lied, spread fake news, and defied our institutions."

The 76-year-old, who is in the lead in the polls, continued, "He's a cheap copy of Trump."

"Trump also tried to avoid accepting the result. They tried to invade the Capitol, and in the end he had to give in," Lula said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coward-jair-bolsonaro-lands-in-controversy-tries-to-snatch-phone-off-a-heckler-watch-video-here-508247">'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here!</a>

He also underlined his confidence in Brazilian institutions, saying they will uphold the election outcome "without question."

Bolsonaro's criticism of the electronic voting machines Brazil has been using since 1996 has sparked worries. Fears have been voiced that Bolsonaro, known as "Tropical Trump," may imitate his political idol if he loses the October elections.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloves-off-in-brazil-as-lula-bolsonaro-officially-start-courting-voters-507585">Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters</a>

The incumbent in a recent interview said that he would respect the outcome "as long as the elections are clean and transparent."

However, some Brazilians worry that their nation would have its own, possibly more violent, version of the assault on the Washington, D.C., Capitol last year, when Trump supporters rioted in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from confirming their candidate's loss in the 2020 election.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump.

As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump. Da Silva accused his far-right rival of taking a page out of the American far-right politician's following Bolsonaro's attacks on the country's electronic voting system. AFP reports that Bolsonaro frequently asserts, with little proof, that the system is fraudulent, generating concerns that, should he lose the election in Brazil in October, he might not accept the results. Watch | Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters In a conversation with foreign correspondents, Lula claimed that Bolsonaro "has lied, spread fake news, and defied our institutions." The 76-year-old, who is in the lead in the polls, continued, "He's a cheap copy of Trump." "Trump also tried to avoid accepting the result. They tried to invade the Capitol, and in the end he had to give in," Lula said. Also read | 'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here! He also underlined his confidence in Brazilian institutions, saying they will uphold the election outcome "without question." Bolsonaro's criticism of the electronic voting machines Brazil has been using since 1996 has sparked worries. Fears have been voiced that Bolsonaro, known as "Tropical Trump," may imitate his political idol if he loses the October elections. Also read | Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters The incumbent in a recent interview said that he would respect the outcome "as long as the elections are clean and transparent." However, some Brazilians worry that their nation would have its own, possibly more violent, version of the assault on the Washington, D.C., Capitol last year, when Trump supporters rioted in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from confirming their candidate's loss in the 2020 election. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazil elections: Da Silva calls Jair Bolsonaro a 'cheap copy' of Donald Trump

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle&nbsp;with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler'&nbsp;dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward"&nbsp;and questioned&nbsp;him.

Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader.

Watch the video here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber 
 
Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. <a href="https://t.co/tYuj3WGmt6">pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6</a>
— Fllics (@fllics) <a href="https://twitter.com/fllics/status/1560349929217953798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok".

Watch |&nbsp;Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazilians-took-to-the-streets-in-defense-of-democracy-over-bolsonaro-election-fears-506329/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloves-off-in-brazil-as-lula-bolsonaro-officially-start-courting-voters-507585">Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters</a>

As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****."

The video shows Jair Bolsonaro&nbsp;grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bolsonaro-climate-change-and-fires-the-story-of-amazon-rainforests-devastation-506070">Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation</a>

Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away.

As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him.

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him. Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader. Watch the video here: Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6 — Fllics (@fllics) August 18, 2022 × The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok". Watch | Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations. Also read | Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****." The video shows Jair Bolsonaro grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you." Also read | Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away. As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here!

Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades.

Bolsonaro, a nationalist-populist with a conservative Christian agenda is running against a former union leader who served as president of the nation for two terms (2003–2010) but was imprisoned for corruption before his convictions were overturned.

In Juiz de Fora, where he was stabbed during the 2018 campaign that propelled him to power on a wave of anti-Lula enthusiasm, Bolsonaro, a former army captain, addressed a throng early on Tuesday afternoon.

Watch |&nbsp;Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-attends-religious-rally-in-an-attempt-to-woo-voters-496044/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Our country doesn't want corruption anymore, it wants order and prosperity," he said.

Lula began his campaign with a stop at the Volkswagen car factory's gates in industrial Sao Bernardo dos Campos outside of Sao Paulo, where he became a labour leader in the 1970s and pushed for better pay despite suppression under the military dictatorship. At 76, Lula is nine years older than his rival.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bolsonaro-climate-change-and-fires-the-story-of-amazon-rainforests-devastation-506070">Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation</a>

In a video shared on social media early on Tuesday, Lula claimed that under Bolsonaro, hunger had returned to Brazil and that families unable to make ends meet on minimum wage were being affected by inflation.

He declared as he began his campaign for reelection, "We are going to have a lot of work to rebuild this country."

"I want to be president to change people's lives again, because the way it is, no one can take it anymore," he posted.

Most polls show Lula to have a double-digit lead for the October 2 election, and simulations of an anticipated second-round runoff on October 30 show Lula to have a larger lead over Bolsonaro.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-hopeful-liz-truss-criticises-uk-employees-in-a-controversial-leaked-audio-heres-what-she-said-507574" hreflang="en">PM hopeful Liz Truss criticises UK employees, in a controversial leaked audio. Here's what she said</a>

According to a survey conducted on Monday by IPEC, formerly known as IBOPE, Lula received 44 per cent of the vote to Bolsonaro's 32 per cent in the first round, significantly ahead of the other 10 contenders. In a run-off, Lula would triumph with 51 per cent of the vote over Bolsonaro's 35&nbsp;per cent, a 16-point advantage.&nbsp;Additionally, 57 per cent of Brazilians reject and 37 per cent favour Bolsonaro's leadership of the nation.

Nevertheless, Bolsonaro has reduced Lula's advantage in recent weeks by boosting welfare spending for the poor in Brazil and pressuring the government-owned oil corporation Petrobras to cut fuel prices, a major contributor to inflation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades.

Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades. Bolsonaro, a nationalist-populist with a conservative Christian agenda is running against a former union leader who served as president of the nation for two terms (2003–2010) but was imprisoned for corruption before his convictions were overturned. In Juiz de Fora, where he was stabbed during the 2018 campaign that propelled him to power on a wave of anti-Lula enthusiasm, Bolsonaro, a former army captain, addressed a throng early on Tuesday afternoon. Watch | Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters "Our country doesn't want corruption anymore, it wants order and prosperity," he said. Lula began his campaign with a stop at the Volkswagen car factory's gates in industrial Sao Bernardo dos Campos outside of Sao Paulo, where he became a labour leader in the 1970s and pushed for better pay despite suppression under the military dictatorship. At 76, Lula is nine years older than his rival. Also read | Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation In a video shared on social media early on Tuesday, Lula claimed that under Bolsonaro, hunger had returned to Brazil and that families unable to make ends meet on minimum wage were being affected by inflation. He declared as he began his campaign for reelection, "We are going to have a lot of work to rebuild this country." "I want to be president to change people's lives again, because the way it is, no one can take it anymore," he posted. Most polls show Lula to have a double-digit lead for the October 2 election, and simulations of an anticipated second-round runoff on October 30 show Lula to have a larger lead over Bolsonaro. Also read | PM hopeful Liz Truss criticises UK employees, in a controversial leaked audio. Here's what she said According to a survey conducted on Monday by IPEC, formerly known as IBOPE, Lula received 44 per cent of the vote to Bolsonaro's 32 per cent in the first round, significantly ahead of the other 10 contenders. In a run-off, Lula would triumph with 51 per cent of the vote over Bolsonaro's 35 per cent, a 16-point advantage. Additionally, 57 per cent of Brazilians reject and 37 per cent favour Bolsonaro's leadership of the nation. Nevertheless, Bolsonaro has reduced Lula's advantage in recent weeks by boosting welfare spending for the poor in Brazil and pressuring the government-owned oil corporation Petrobras to cut fuel prices, a major contributor to inflation. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters

Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister.

Bolsonaro publicly offered him the post after being swept to the presidency Sunday on a wave of anti-establishment anger fueled partly by Moro's probe into the large-scale looting of state oil company Petrobras.

Moro flew to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for a meeting with the hardline conservative. It ended with him accepting the offer to head a "super ministry" combining the justice and public security portfolios, both men said.

The move will likely fuel accusations that Moro's so-called "Car Wash" probe has been politically motivated and disproportionately targeted left-wing politicians -- especially ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom polls showed would have beaten Bolsonaro had he not been serving a 12-year corruption sentence.

"Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organized crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our compass!" Bolsonaro tweeted.

Moro confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honor."

"In practice, this will mean consolidating the advances we have made against crime and corruption in recent years and fending off the risk of a backslide, for the greater good," he said.

Corruption dragnet

Since it was launched in 2014, Moro's investigation has taken out a Who's Who of politicians and executives who colluded to pump billions of dollars from Petrobras into their own pockets or the coffers of their political parties.

Although politicians of all stripes have fallen, Moro has been accused of being particularly merciless on the left -- especially Lula, Brazil's president from 2003 to 2010.

Moro sentenced Lula -- a hugely divisive but enduringly popular figure -- to jail for taking bribes from a Petrobras contractor.

Lula tried to stage a presidential come-back in this year's elections, but the courts barred his candidacy.

His substitute, former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, lost to Bolsonaro in the run-off election, 55 percent to 45 percent.

In a country left polarized by the election, Bolsonaro and Moro are both divisive figures, too.

The president-elect has outraged many Brazilians with his derogatory remarks against women, gays and blacks, and his outspoken admiration for Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985).

Moro meanwhile is a hero to some for his crusade against endemic graft -- but condemned by others as a politically motivated opportunist who may have changed the destiny of Latin America's largest country.

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister.

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister. Bolsonaro publicly offered him the post after being swept to the presidency Sunday on a wave of anti-establishment anger fueled partly by Moro's probe into the large-scale looting of state oil company Petrobras. Moro flew to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for a meeting with the hardline conservative. It ended with him accepting the offer to head a "super ministry" combining the justice and public security portfolios, both men said. The move will likely fuel accusations that Moro's so-called "Car Wash" probe has been politically motivated and disproportionately targeted left-wing politicians -- especially ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom polls showed would have beaten Bolsonaro had he not been serving a 12-year corruption sentence. "Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organized crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our compass!" Bolsonaro tweeted. Moro confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honor." "In practice, this will mean consolidating the advances we have made against crime and corruption in recent years and fending off the risk of a backslide, for the greater good," he said. Corruption dragnet Since it was launched in 2014, Moro's investigation has taken out a Who's Who of politicians and executives who colluded to pump billions of dollars from Petrobras into their own pockets or the coffers of their political parties. Although politicians of all stripes have fallen, Moro has been accused of being particularly merciless on the left -- especially Lula, Brazil's president from 2003 to 2010. Moro sentenced Lula -- a hugely divisive but enduringly popular figure -- to jail for taking bribes from a Petrobras contractor. Lula tried to stage a presidential come-back in this year's elections, but the courts barred his candidacy. His substitute, former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, lost to Bolsonaro in the run-off election, 55 percent to 45 percent. In a country left polarized by the election, Bolsonaro and Moro are both divisive figures, too. The president-elect has outraged many Brazilians with his derogatory remarks against women, gays and blacks, and his outspoken admiration for Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985). Moro meanwhile is a hero to some for his crusade against endemic graft -- but condemned by others as a politically motivated opportunist who may have changed the destiny of Latin America's largest country.

Brazil's crusading judge Moro to be justice minister

WION Fineprint: Bolsonaro wins Brazil's presidential election

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner.

Here's what you need to know:

How important is the election? 

Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies, a member of the "BRICS" club and Latin America's biggest country.

Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's eighth-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 out much of a preceding decade of prosperity.

Who is Bolsonaro?

Called a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-brazils-tropical-trump-poised-to-win-presidency-174017">Tropical Trump</a>" by some, Bolsonaro is controversial and polarizing.

The former army captain has been a congressman since 1991, and is known for offensive remarks against women, gays, blacks and the poor.

But he also has a healthy lead in the polls -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters.

He was stabbed in the stomach by an attacker at a campaign rally on September 6, which put him in the hospital for three weeks. Since then, he has campaigned entirely on social media.

To his supporters, the episode only bolstered his image as a "Myth" -- their nickname for him -- and underlined the need for the ruthless crackdown on crime he is promising.

Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in Congress that would help him govern if he wins.

But he has inspired massive protests by Brazilian women, under the slogan "Not him."

Is he a shoo-in?

He came close to winning the election outright in the first-round vote on October 7.

In a field of 13 candidates, he won 46 per cent of the vote, to 29 per cent for runner-up Fernando Haddad, his opponent in Sunday's run-off.

Bolsonaro had an eight- to 10-point lead going into the second round, according to two final polls released Saturday.

Pollster Ibope gave him a lead of 54 per cent to 46 per cent for Haddad, while Datafolha gave him 55 per cent to 45.

Haddad is the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular but imprisoned ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for bribery.

The leftist has made up ground -- he trailed by as much as 18 points two weeks ago -- but it would take a dramatic surge for him to win.

What's the future hold?

If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes -- though he would have to work with a divided Congress where the Workers' Party still holds sway.

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 spiralling public debt.

In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his platform says.

That looks like a reference particularly to neighbouring 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 toward countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy.

"We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he said in one interview.

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner.

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner. Here's what you need to know: How important is the election? Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies, a member of the "BRICS" club and Latin America's biggest country. Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's eighth-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 out much of a preceding decade of prosperity. Who is Bolsonaro? Called a "Tropical Trump" by some, Bolsonaro is controversial and polarizing. The former army captain has been a congressman since 1991, and is known for offensive remarks against women, gays, blacks and the poor. But he also has a healthy lead in the polls -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters. He was stabbed in the stomach by an attacker at a campaign rally on September 6, which put him in the hospital for three weeks. Since then, he has campaigned entirely on social media. To his supporters, the episode only bolstered his image as a "Myth" -- their nickname for him -- and underlined the need for the ruthless crackdown on crime he is promising. Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in Congress that would help him govern if he wins. But he has inspired massive protests by Brazilian women, under the slogan "Not him." Is he a shoo-in? He came close to winning the election outright in the first-round vote on October 7. In a field of 13 candidates, he won 46 per cent of the vote, to 29 per cent for runner-up Fernando Haddad, his opponent in Sunday's run-off. Bolsonaro had an eight- to 10-point lead going into the second round, according to two final polls released Saturday. Pollster Ibope gave him a lead of 54 per cent to 46 per cent for Haddad, while Datafolha gave him 55 per cent to 45. Haddad is the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular but imprisoned ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for bribery. The leftist has made up ground -- he trailed by as much as 18 points two weeks ago -- but it would take a dramatic surge for him to win. What's the future hold? If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes -- though he would have to work with a divided Congress where the Workers' Party still holds sway. 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 spiralling public debt. In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his platform says. That looks like a reference particularly to neighbouring 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 toward countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy. "We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he said in one interview.

Brazil is choosing a new president. Here's what you need to know

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory.

Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad.

An official tally showed Bolsonaro won 46 per cent against Haddad's 29 per cent.

"I am certain that if this hadn't happened, we would have known the name of the president of the Republic tonight," Bolsonaro said in a live Facebook video feed.

The 63-year-old former paratrooper and the longterm congressman had boasted as he voted Sunday that a run-off would not be necessary.

Although he easily won the first round, surveys suggest the outcome of the second round is uncertain, with Haddad expected to come up almost neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro as he picks up support from other beaten candidates.

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory. Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad.

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory. Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad. An official tally showed Bolsonaro won 46 per cent against Haddad's 29 per cent. "I am certain that if this hadn't happened, we would have known the name of the president of the Republic tonight," Bolsonaro said in a live Facebook video feed. The 63-year-old former paratrooper and the longterm congressman had boasted as he voted Sunday that a run-off would not be necessary. Although he easily won the first round, surveys suggest the outcome of the second round is uncertain, with Haddad expected to come up almost neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro as he picks up support from other beaten candidates.

'Polling problems' denied outright victory: Brazil's Bolsonaro

brazil-election

Brazil Election, News on Brazil Election, stories on Brazil Election, articles on Brazil Election, Brazil Election stories at Wion, Brazil Election news, Brazil Election latest news

brazil election