Final Poll Shows 1.3 Point Gap

A CNT/MDA survey released Saturday shows Flavio Bolsonaro holding a 1.3 point lead over Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the Brazilian presidential runoff. The poll places Bolsonaro at 46.3 percent and Lula at 45 percent. The margin of error for the study is 2.2 percentage points.

This result reflects a narrowing gap compared to a week earlier. The same polling firm reported Bolsonaro at 46.8 percent and Lula at 45.9 percent seven days ago. Both candidates held final rallies on Saturday to close out the campaign before the Sunday vote.

Lula, who is 80, addressed a crowd at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. He wore a red hat and waved a national flag from a campaign truck. He pointed to his rival's relationship with US President Donald Trump during his speech. "The people must choose either someone who kisses the national flag or someone who kisses the American flag," Lula said.

Flavio Bolsonaro gathered supporters in the state of Minas Gerais. The event featured hundreds of motorcyclists wearing yellow national football shirts. Ebert Dorigo, a participant, told the AFP news agency that the Workers' Party had promoted dependence on state welfare. "The values we uphold are nation and family," Dorigo said. He argued that Brazil is divided because welfare policies have obscured the link between hard work and achievement.

The campaign has centered on economic policy, crime, and the political future of the country. Bolsonaro has pledged to build hundreds of thousands of new prison places and reduce government spending. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election. The two candidates debated on Friday and traded accusations over economic difficulties despite a calmer tone than previous exchanges.

Gabriela Ribeiro Viana, an event organizer, told AFP that the choice was difficult. "If there were any other candidate, that would be a better option," she said. "But we're stuck choosing between the worst, the horrible, and the lesser evil."

Voters in Brazil will cast ballots on Sunday to determine the next president. The runoff will decide whether Lula remains in office or if the country shifts further to the right.