Presidential in Brazil: in the polling stations, the hearts of Brazilians swing

Jean-Claude Gerez (in Salvador de Bahia), edited by Juliette Moreau Alvarez 7:40 p.m., October 02, 2022

The presidential election continues in Brazil on Sunday, where leftist ex-president Lula is leading the polls.

Already, the far-right outgoing Bolsonaro intends to challenge the results in the event of defeat.

The first estimates are expected at the end of the evening.

In the polling stations, it is already the excitement.

In the popular district of Brotas in Salvador de Bahia, long queues, despite the relentless sun.

The clash of the conservatives and the left

Everything is to be put into perspective of course, since voting is compulsory for some 156 million Brazilians.

Nevertheless, a real desire to decide for one of the two candidates is felt.

On one side, Jair Bolsonaro, the outgoing president.

His record is highly criticized, but he remains the favorite of the conservatives, like Mario, 53, met at the exit of the polling station.

"I voted for Bolsonaro and everything he represents, especially freedom and family, because I am a conservative. The opposite of the other candidate who was in prison for being involved in the biggest scandals of corruption of the country's history."

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On the other Lula, who is making a comeback.

The vast majority of Brazilians who have exchanged with Europe 1 retain above all from Lula his record, when he was head of state in 2003 and 2011, but above all the feeling that he is close to the concerns of the most modest .

"I voted for Lula. I think he's a democrat who cares about people and has done good for people in need," Alexandro said.

"Unlike the current president, a demagogue I once believed in but who did nothing for the people."

The latest polls placed Lula well ahead, or even an election in the first round.

The first estimates should be known from 10 p.m. French time.