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Thursday, 8 October 2026dailybeirut.com
World
Students and citizens marched in Rio de Janeiro to protest the leading presidential candidate, citing fears over social spending cuts and democratic backsliding.
Thousands joined a student march through downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to protest Flávio Bolsonaro, the frontrunner in Brazil’s presidential election, as the campaign for the October 25 runoff began. The demonstrators voiced opposition to the potential return of the far right to power following Senator Bolsonaro’s victory in the first round held on Sunday.
Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. His lead over incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shocked the Brazilian left, which is now mobilizing to recover votes before the second round. Amid drumbeats, fireworks, and chants, students flooded central Rio shouting “Bolsonaro will never return” while urging voters to support Lula.
Alice Carneiro, a 25-year-old shipping sector employee, stated she was present because she believes in democracy but feels fear regarding the potential impact on her transgender wife. Protesters recalled the administration of Jair Bolsonaro between 2019 and 2022, specifically criticizing his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as a "simple flu" despite causing more than 700,000 deaths in Brazil—the second-highest toll globally after the United States.
The crowd size significantly exceeded that of the gathering organized by Lula at the same location on Friday prior to the vote, an event marked by low momentum during a widely criticized campaign period.
Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged extensive reductions in public expenditure, utilizing a symbolic pair of scissors reminiscent of Argentine President Javier Milei’s chainsaw, whose economic reforms he praised. Brazil faces rising public debt exacerbated by high interest rates, yet Bolsonaro’s first-round performance drove São Paulo stock market indices to record levels.
Amid uncertainty about the specific nature of proposed cuts, protesters referenced reductions implemented by his father affecting federal universities, research grants, and the government-backed "Farmácia Popular" program, which provides free or discounted medications. Emmanuel Araujo, 19, preparing for university entrance exams, argued there is no point in passing tests if institutions lack funding, describing the rise of the far right as "very sad."
Iara Pinheiro, 16, voting for the first time, carried a sign reading "No to the father, no to the son." She expressed concern that rights would be lost if the situation continued and Bolsonaro returned to power, stating, "I believe we will end up losing our democracy."
Some demonstrators also voiced anxiety over Flávio Bolsonaro’s plans to grant amnesty to his father, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence following conviction.
