A Brazilian court ordered the government to provide transport for Indigenous voters in Sunday's presidential runoff between President Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The two candidates agreed to lift secrecy on their bank, tax and phone records, pending a decision by Judge André Mendonça, as polls show a statistical tie. Both campaigns are targeting about 33 million people who did not vote in the first round, while the electoral court handles a wave of deepfakes.
Why it matters: The result will shape policy in Latin America's largest economy, including on the Amazon.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused Meta of favoring Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and said his rival should be disqualified; Meta denies the accusation. Polls show a statistical tie before Sunday's runoff, and about 20 million families are receiving a 15% increase in Bolsa Família payments this week.
Why it matters: Brazil is Latin America's largest economy, and the result will shape its policies on the Amazon, trade and social spending.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva faces Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in Sunday's runoff, with polls showing a statistical tie after Bolsonaro led the first round. Lula's government began a 15% increase in Bolsa Família for 20 million families, and his lawyers accused Meta of limiting his Instagram promotion while his rival could boost posts.
Why it matters: The result will decide the direction of Latin America's largest economy.
Polls show President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro virtually tied ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off. Lula challenged his rival to release bank, tax and phone records, while Argentine President Javier Milei called Lula a "leftist thief" and said he hoped he would not "steal" the election. Brazil's electoral court gave Meta a deadline to show its algorithms treat both candidates equally or face doubled daily fines.
Why it matters: The vote will decide the leadership of Latin America's largest economy.
Brazil's top electoral court gave Meta 24 hours to prove it treats Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro campaign content equally, doubling a daily non-compliance fine. Lula's campaign alleges suppression of its content; Meta attributes incidents to other causes.
Why it matters: The case tests how far courts can police platforms during elections.
President Lula's coalition reported alleged unequal treatment by Meta favouring rival Flávio Bolsonaro to the UN and asked federal police to probe possible illegal campaign funding; Meta attributed the incidents to other causes. Right-wing figures are citing Polymarket odds ahead of next weekend's run-off.
Why it matters: Latin America's largest economy chooses its president in days amid disputes over tech platforms' role.
President Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro in the 25 October run-off. Days before the vote, Congress approved cutting the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours, a Lula pledge, and Lula reversed his stance to back lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 for heinous crimes.