Traffic outside the headquarters of the Central Bank in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2024.
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Brazilians voted for mayors and city councilors in more than 5,500 municipal elections on Sunday, with polls showing strong showings for conservative candidates in several major cities, setting the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 presidential race.
All eyes are on the mayoral election in Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, where three candidates are evenly matched after a fierce campaign, setting the stage for a runoff on October 27.
A poll on Saturday showed center-right incumbent Mayor Ricardo Nunes, who was leading the race until last week, with 26 percent of the vote versus far-right digital influencer Pablo Pablo Marçal tied for second, an unprecedented split in the conservative vote.
Pollster Datafolha found that left-wing lawmaker Guillerme Boulos, who is backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his Workers’ Party, had taken the lead on the eve of the election, with 29 percent support. lead.
An anti-establishment political novice who has surged in the polls with vitriolic attacks on opponents, Massar has launched a campaign on social media with little money and no TV time . He’s been making headlines for weeks since an angry fifth candidate Hit him with a chair during a televised debate.
Polls suggest candidates linked to Lula face trouble in the presidential election. Popularity has declined In his third non-consecutive term.
“As long as democracy exists, the people’s right to choose will exist, for better or worse,” Lula said after Sunday’s vote. “We cannot allow people to vote uninformed.”
He has largely avoided campaigning for mayoral candidates, although their success would increase his chances of running for re-election in 2026.
On the right, candidates associated with far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro fared better despite being barred from seeking elected office until 2030 For his baseless attacks on Brazil’s voting system.
“Anti-establishment views on the right have become a trend,” said political risk expert Cleomar de Souza.
Andre Cesar, an analyst at Hold Legislative Advisors, noted that Lula’s Workers’ Party faces the risk of not winning any state capitals.
Both analysts said Lula was likely to keep his campaigning to a minimum to avoid being associated with the losing candidate.
Bolsonaro has also stayed away from the Sao Paulo campaign, complicating his coalition. He officially endorsed Nunes for re-election but avoided taping his campaign.
As the anti-establishment Massar rose from a dark horse in the polls to within striking distance of a runoff, he appeared to distance himself from Nunes. On Sunday, Bolsonaro said he would support anyone who faces Boulos in a potential runoff.
Voting opens at 8 am (1100 GMT) and ends at 5 pm (2000 GMT). To win the first round of elections, mayoral candidates in cities with more than 200,000 voters need to obtain more than 50% of the valid votes.
