Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has asserted that he is the only individual capable of preventing far-right "fascists" from reclaiming power. This claim was made as he led a significant rally through Rio's streets ahead of Sunday's election.
The 80-year-old leftwinger stated he decided to seek a historic fourth term because he believes he alone can stop the family of his rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, from returning to government. Lula told a podcast, "If it weren’t for me standing up to these fascists they’d easily win another election. I’m the one standing in their way," adding, "It’s either me, or it’s barbarism."
Hours later, Lula flew to Rio for what his team described as a "victory march" between two downtown locations significant to Brazil's fight for democracy during the 1964-1985 military dictatorship. He stated after the parade, "What’s at stake is not the victory of one man, it is the victory of an idea, it’s the victory of democracy."
Election-eve polls indicate Lula has a narrow lead over Bolsonaro. The Datafolha pollster suggests Lula is expected to secure about 45% of votes on Sunday and Bolsonaro 40%, making a second round runoff on 25 October likely. However, Lula claimed at Friday's rally that he could achieve a first-round win with over 50% of the vote.