• Bolsonaro consolidates lead in both first and second rounds. Hard-right Congressman Jair Bolsonaro has consolidated his position as front-runner in both rounds of Brazil’s presidential election, according to a Datafolha poll. Bolsonaro rose from 28% to 32% in the poll while challenger Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers’ Party (PT) drifted down from 22% to 21%. All other candidates trailed badly. Bolsonaro would win a run-off against Haddad by 44% against 42%. (see more)
• Former President Cardoso calls for “radical commitment to democracy.” Former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso called upon Brazilian voters to reject both hard-right and hard-left candidates in this month’s presidential election, saying both ideologies threatened Brazil’s democratic institutions. He called for Brazilians to embrace what he called “a radical commitment to democracy.” The appeal comes at a time of sharp polarization in the election (see item above). (see more)
• Elections court nixes Former President Lula’s right to vote on Sunday. A regional elections court has rejected appeals from lawyers representing former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to allow Lula to vote in the first round of the presidential election Sunday. Lula is serving a prison sentence for corruption. Felons are not allowed to vote in Brazil. The court said Lula is no exception. (see more)
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