Jair Bolsonaro and Fernando Haddad Move On to the Second Round of Brazil’s Presidential Election on October 28, 2018

!!!

On October 7, 2018, Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right presidential candidate, just missed winning the presidency outright in the first round. He also led his formerly obscure party, the Partido Social Liberal or PSL, to the front of a crowded field in the race for Congress to become a national juggernaut, as voters in Latin America’s biggest nation moved to reject the political establishment and traditional parties. Bolsonaro and his allies in legislative elections defied many pollsters’ forecasts, and their success seems to indicate powerful support for the largely unknown congressman and former army captain, who has promised to crack down on crime and corruption. He will face runner-up Fernando Haddad of the PT or Workers Party in an October 28 run-off vote. Pundits across the ideological spectrum had much to say about the election’s significance and meaning.

To read the full content subscribe today!