Brazil’s two top presidential contenders focused Saturday on rallying supporters in Sao Paulo, the biggest city, a day before the country’s general election.
In dueling campaign events, incumbent Jair Bolsonaro led a motorcade through the city’s streets, while former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was in the Avenida Paulista for what his campaign dubbed a “victory walk.” Most polls suggest Lula has a large lead, and some signal he could take enough support to win without having to go to a runoff.
The rally was the last public campaign event for Lula, 76, before the vote. In the afternoon, he capped off the campaign with a press conference in Sao Paulo.
He said is confident of a win in the first round. “To be reborn from the ashes is a reason to celebrate,” Lula said. He also appealed for voters to turn out on Sunday. “I’m making a special request for those who are thinking about not going to the ballots: please go and vote Lula.”
After the motorcade in Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro made a stop at a motorcade in Santa Catarina state, one of his strongholds, and is expected to do a live webcast in the evening.
Both candidates have received support from celebrities, artists and athletes over the past week. Bolsonaro, 67, on Saturday published on his social media accounts a message of support from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Lula received the support of former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.
The campaign has pitted the two candidates against each other on issues including the environment, the economy and guns. According to polls, Brazilians say their top priority is the economy, including rising poverty, inflation and social inequality.
