There are less than 15 days left for the presidential elections in Brazil, but the political landscape is confusing

"I'd rather have my son die in an accident than come home with a guy who has a mustache." "I'm not a rapist, but if I was, I would not rape her, because she does not deserve it, because she is very ugly." "Afro-descendants do not do anything, I think that neither as reproductive beings serve more". Comments such as these and others like that told to some media, during his public and political life, make Jair Bolsonaro the most controversial candidate for the presidency of Brazil today, and who has the best chance of going to the second round. Will the president of Brazil be a far-right politician who has proven to be homophobic, racist and sexist or will be the chosen by Lula Da Silva?

Leer en español: Brasil: Bolsonaro vs Haddad ¿Quién llegará ocupar la presidencia?

On October 7, the Brazilian people will elect their president 2019 – 2023 and the opinions are divided. According to the Datafolha Research Institute for September 17, Bolsonaro reached 28% in his intention to vote and Haddad – the candidate who put Lula Da Silva as a replacement after not being able to run for president – finally surpassed Ciro Gomes of the Labor Democratic Party (PDT) with a 17% intention to vote .

These figures are the product of a rise and fall of percentages in recent months, as a result of the instability of the Brazilian political class. For the month of July, Lula Da Silva led the surveys roundly and in second place was Bolsonaro. However, now that the former president assumed that he can not lead Brazil from prison and submitted his resignation to support Haddad, things changed. Bolsonaro shoot to the first place in the polls and Haddad went up from 4% to 17% of intention to vote.

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For the followers of Lula Da Silva the PT candidate, elected in 2012 mayor of Sao Paulo, will continue to rise in the polls and will recover the intention to vote that the political idol once accumulated. Even, since the candidacy of Haddad circulates on Twitter a hashtag in Portuguese: #HaddadÉLula in order to promote the idea that both politicians represent the same ideals. However, Haddad is not what Lula Da Silva symbolized in the eyes of the voters, that is a leader who was not born in the cradle of gold and fought for the admiration of millions of Brazilians, instead Haddad has a privileged academic background and he has not a humble origin as his protector.

However, it must be recognized that Bolsonaro still leads by a large percentage. The far right has on its side a large religious sector thanks to its not resounding to abortion. In addition, a large part of Brazilians considers it capable of reducing insecurity in the country, through drastic measures of arms control. The ex-captain of the army awakens feelings of adoration and rejection, even international public opinion called him "Brazilian Trump".

Among the criticisms of the controversial presidential candidate is his lack of political experience, because although he held public office he never had a popular election or high rank. Also, the defenders of the minorities demand from Bolsonaro that they want to eliminate the indigenous reserves and settlements.

What is the scenario for the second round?

Although the polls are unstable, it can be predicted that the second round will go direct Bolsonaro and Haddad what would leave out Ciro Gomes, who was at some point the only possibility, according to the Datafolha Institute, to defeat Bolsonaro in the second round. Now this scenario suggests a very close vote between the two candidates, who have a large number of detractors and admirers. How positive is it that approximately half of a people reject their ruler? Does it increase the power of the opposition to achieve a more democratic country or leave millions of citizens who do not feel represented? These are some questions that Brazilians have to ask before the elections. The truth is that if this is the scenario of the second round, Brazil will face a strong political debate similar to the one that took place in Colombia after the first round 2018 between Ivan Duque and Gustavo Petro.

LatinAmerican Post I Lina Vargas Vega

Brasil: Bolsonaro vs Haddad ¿Quién llegará ocupar la presidencia?