Thousands protest Flavio Bolsonaro in Rio ahead of Brazil runoff election

Thousands of people joined a student march in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to oppose far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, according to France 24 and Al Jazeera. The protests erupted after Bolsonaro led the first round of Brazil's presidential election, prompting demonstrators to rally in support of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of an October 25 runoff election, France 24 reported. [1][8][11]

The Guardian reported that critics are growing concerned over Bolsonaro's vows to re-democratise Brazil following his surprise first-round win. The same outlet said climate campaigners view his lead as a threat to the Amazon rainforest, despite President Lula curbing deforestation during his term. Meanwhile, the Brussels Signal reported that Bolsonaro has vowed to change the constitution of Brazil as the final vote approaches. [3][5][6]

The 45-year-old frontrunner is a lawyer and politician who has served as a senator for Rio de Janeiro since 2019, and previously served as a state deputy from 2003 to 2019. He is affiliated with the Liberal Party and is the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Bolsonaro secured 47 percent of the first-round vote against 45 percent for incumbent President Lula da Silva. [1][12][15][16]

The two candidates will face each other in the second-round runoff on October 25 to decide the presidency of Brazil, France 24 reported. [1][16]