Brazilian Youth Rally Against Possible Bolsonaro Return in Election
WHO:
AP - Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio, a 19-year-old theater student, expressed her indecision regarding the candidates, stating, “The right mixes religion and faith, whereas I think those things should be separate, while (Lula’s) Workers’ Party has robbed the country.”
AP - Alexandre Moreira, a 21-year-old university student, is also undecided but leaning toward Lula, saying, “But things are more expensive, and I’m feeling it.”
ABC News Business - Thousands of Brazilian students marched in Rio de Janeiro against the possibility of Flávio Bolsonaro winning the presidency.
ABC News - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro are the main candidates in the upcoming presidential election.
ABC News - Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio, a 19-year-old theater student, expressed her indecision regarding the candidates.
ABC News - Kassio Nunes Marques is the president of Brazil’s electoral court.
ABC News - Carolina Almeida de Paula is a political scientist from Rio de Janeiro State University.
ABC News - Meri Oliveira, a 62-year-old voter, stated she will not vote for either candidate.
WHAT:
AP - Bolsonaro received 2 million more votes than Lula in the first round.
AP - Nearly six million people cast a blank or spoiled vote in the first round.
AP - The price of gasoline increased from 5 reais ($1) a liter in January 2023 to 6.54 reais ($1.31) in September 2026.
ABC News Business - Brazilian students protested against Flávio Bolsonaro's potential presidency.
ABC News - The second round of the presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 25.
ABC News - More than 33 million voters, or 21% of the electorate, did not participate in the first round of voting.
ABC News - The abstention percentage in the first round is the highest since 1998.
ABC News - Nearly six million people cast blank or spoiled votes in the first round.
ABC News - Bolsonaro received 2 million more votes than Lula in the first round.
WHERE:
ABC News Business - The protests took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ABC News - The first round of voting occurred across Brazil.
WHEN:
ABC News - The second round of the presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 25.
ABC News - Bolsonaro's father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is currently serving a 27-year sentence.
WHY:
AP - Voter distrust is rooted in history, with Bolsonaro under investigation for corruption and Lula having served time for corruption and money laundering charges that were later annulled.
ABC News - Voters are undecided due to distrust in both candidates, with Bolsonaro under investigation for corruption and Lula having served time for corruption and money laundering.
ABC News - The high abstention rate is attributed to voter disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the candidates.
HOW:
AP - Kassio Nunes Marques, president of Brazil’s electoral court, stated, “Abstention of 20% isn’t ideal,” emphasizing the need to “intensify and perfect all the available mechanisms to diminish this percentage in the second round.”
ABC News - Voting in Brazil is mandatory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70, with non-participation incurring a small fine.
ABC News - Lula and Bolsonaro are focusing on persuading undecided voters and those who voted for eliminated candidates.
(UPDATED October 8, 2026 00:00 UTC)
In Brazil's recent election, President Bolsonaro garnered two million more votes than Lula in the first round, while nearly six million voters chose to cast blank or spoiled ballots. Young voters like 19-year-old Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio and 21-year-old Alexandre Moreira are expressing their indecision, with Bon Raggio questioning the mix of religion and politics and Moreira feeling the pinch of rising costs, particularly with gasoline prices jumping from 5 reais to 6.54 reais a liter. As Brazil prepares for the second round, Kassio Nunes Marques, the president of the electoral court, highlighted the importance of reducing the 20% abstention rate to ensure a more engaged electorate.
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(UPDATED October 7, 2026 23:04 UTC)
Thousands of Brazilian students took to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to protest against the possibility of Flávio Bolsonaro winning the presidency, as he and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prepare for the second round of the election scheduled for October 25. Voter disillusionment is evident, with over 33 million people, or 21% of the electorate, not participating in the first round, marking the highest abstention rate since 1998, while nearly six million cast blank or spoiled votes. Amidst this backdrop, undecided voters like 19-year-old theater student Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio express their uncertainty, as both candidates face scrutiny, with Bolsonaro under investigation for corruption and Lula having previously served time for similar charges.