Bolsonaro clan fields eight candidates as Brazil election nears

Brazil's October 4 general election is shaping up as a two-person race between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, with Lula leading in most polls but neither candidate securing the 50% needed to avoid a runoff on October 25 Source: heraldomx. The campaign, which began August 16, has been marked by the absence of both front-runners from the first televised debate, where they were called "cowards" by rival Renan Santos Source: diariolibree.

The Bolsonaro family machine

With Jair Bolsonaro barred from office and under house arrest after a 27-year sentence for coup attempt, his clan has fielded eight candidates under the Liberal Party (PL), three more than in 2022 Source: Clarín. Flávio leads the ticket, while his brother Carlos runs for Senate, Michelle Bolsonaro for Brasilia, and Jair Renan and Rogéria for the lower house. Journalist Juliana Dal Piva calls it "a family holding" that treats politics as both influence and finance Source: Diario Libre.

Key campaign issues

• Flávio has promised a 3,000-km rail line linking northeast capitals, a region he says has been "always relegated" Source: infobae.
• Lula secured a congressional pact to advance a five-day workweek and other priorities before the campaign freeze Source: infobae.
• The centrist Centrão bloc has declared neutrality, a shift from 2022 when it backed Jair Bolsonaro Source: elpaises.

Divisions and disputes

Michelle Bolsonaro accused Flávio of mistreatment, briefly withdrawing from his campaign Source: elmundoes. Meanwhile, investigations into Lula's son Lulinha and Flávio's ties to banker Daniel Vorcaro could roil the race Source: cnn. Lula will have more free TV/radio time than Flávio Source: elnacionalve.