Brazil's Bolsonaro gains Cury endorsement ahead of runoff with Lula
Augusto Cury, who finished third in Brazil's presidential first round, endorsed right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro on Thursday. The backing could help Bolsonaro in the runoff against incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A Datafolha poll showed Bolsonaro at 52 percent and Lula at 48 percent.
Augusto Cury, who placed third in Brazil's first round with close to 3 percent, threw his support behind Flavio Bolsonaro on Thursday. In the opening round, Bolsonaro received 47 percent and Lula 45 percent. A Datafolha survey that day showed Bolsonaro at 52 percent and Lula at 48 percent.
Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, is a senator and the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest for plotting a coup after his 2022 defeat. Lula, 81, is pursuing a fourth term. Fourth-place finisher Renan Santos, with 2.6 million votes, has not backed either candidate.
Cury's backing may help Flavio Bolsonaro consolidate third-place voters, potentially shaping the runoff's outcome. If it shifts polling, Brazilians could face a sharper choice over the country's political direction. Supporters and opponents of the far right may become more mobilized, as recent protests suggest. Lula's campaign may need to counter with social media outreach. The result could affect trust in polls and institutions, depending on how voters respond.