2026 ELECTION
An early first round is as possible as ever

Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and Pres. Lula: Could one of them clinch the election on Sunday? Photo: PL and PT
Five days before Brazil's 2026 first round, the campaign's liveliest debate concerns who should leave it. On Monday, São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas used Ricardo Salles's exit from the state's Senate race to urge the right to unite behind Flávio Bolsonaro and beat President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva outright on October 4. He professed respect for Romeu Zema and Ronaldo Caiado, then asked them, in effect, to step aside…

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