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Far-right Jair Bolsonaro in the lead
Brazilians began casting ballots on Sunday in their most divisive presidential election in years, with a far-right politician promising an iron-fisted crackdown on crime, Jair Bolsonaro, the firm favourite in the first round. Surveys suggest that the 63-year-old former paratrooper, who wants to cut spiralling debt through sweeping privatisations and embrace the U.S. and Israel, could count on more than one in three voters in the vast Latin American nation.But at least as many in the 147-million-strong electorate reject the veteran federal lawmaker. He is known for repeated offensive comments against women, gays and the poor, and for lauding the military dictatorship Brazil shucked off just three decades ago. If Mr. Bolsonaro gets more than 50% of the vote to lead the field of 13 candidates, he will win the presidency outright. Otherwise, a run-off will be held on October 28.The last surveys released on Saturday credited him with 36% against 22% for his nearest rival, leftist former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad.
