Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro launch Brazil election campaigns in their political strongholds
Brazil's two leading presidential candidates launched their campaigns for the October 4 elections on Sunday at venues tied to their political histories. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva drew more than 10,000 supporters to the Vila Euclides stadium in São Paulo's industrial belt, while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered backers on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil's two leading presidential candidates formally launched their campaigns for the October 4 elections on Sunday, choosing venues tied to their political careers. President Lula drew more than 10,000 supporters to the Vila Euclides stadium in São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo's industrial belt.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered his backers on Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana beach, a site long used by his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, for political rallies. The two events marked the formal start of campaigning and reflected the country's polarized political landscape.
October's vote is seen as a pivotal contest for Brazil's future direction. Polls already point to a close race, and both camps said they would continue mobilizing supporters in the coming weeks.
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