Brazilian Students Protest Amidst Runoff Election Uncertainty
Thousands marched in Rio de Janeiro against the possibility of Flávio Bolsonaro winning the presidency, following a first-round election where neither candidate secured a majority.
Thousands of Brazilian students marched in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to protest the potential presidency of Flávio Bolsonaro, whose far-right candidacy garnered more votes than incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election. Demonstrators carried signs referencing Brazil’s sovereignty and democracy, which they expressed concern were under threat.
One 19-year-old environmental science student, Talita Amaral, stated, "We’re fighting for Brazil, not for Lula." She wore Brazil’s national colors, a gesture aimed at reclaiming the colors often associated with Bolsonaro supporters. "We don’t have time to be sad, we need to be doing this, occupying the streets, sending messages in WhatsApp groups, trying to convince people," Amaral added.
Neither Flávio Bolsonaro nor Lula secured the over 50% of votes required to win the presidency outright on Sunday. They are now set to face each other in a runoff election scheduled for Oct. 25. Bolsonaro holds an advantage, having received 2 million more votes than da Silva in the initial round. Additionally, candidates to his right collectively earned over 8 million votes.
Bolsonaro is currently under investigation for alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion connected to the failed Banco Master. Protesters referenced this case, with some criticizing Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an estimated 700,000 deaths in Brazil.
Concerns were voiced by those on the left regarding a potential Bolsonaro presidency, fearing it would align Brazil closely with the United States due to ideological similarities between the Bolsonaro family and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Some protesters expressed fears that "If Bolsonaro wins, Brazil will become a colony of the United States," citing Bolsonaro's potential threat to minority groups and his father's history of homophobic remarks.
Despite initial disappointment following Sunday's results, some students expressed renewed hope. "This protest shows that social movements are still very much alive," said 20-year-old literature student João Victor Vieira. "We will resist."