Brazil to hold municipal elections

Brazilian municipal elections will end today after beginning on November 15.

With over 5,570 municipalities participating, along with 500,000 city council and 19,000 mayoral candidates, this election cycle will signal a midterm referendum of sorts for President Jair Bolsonaro.

Voters will go to the polls amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 165,000 Brazilians. With Brazil reporting the world’s second-highest death toll after the US, opposition parties are seeking an opportunity to gain valuable seats nationwide. Bolsonaro’s promises to prioritise the Brazilian economy have fallen flat as inflation and a rising deficit continue to plague the country. Over 148 million Brazilians are eligible—and required by law—to vote, but a large proportion of voters will likely abstain given the ongoing public health crisis.

Expect the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Progressistas (PP) and Democratas (DEM) to pick up new mayoral seats this election period. Since November 15, Bolsonaro-affiliated candidates have seen their prospects fail prior to the general runoff round set to occur on November 29, featuring the top two primary candidates. Establishment parties including the Worker’s Party (PT), Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) and Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) have also fared poorly this cycle.

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