Thousands of Students March in Rio Against Flavio Bolsonaro Ahead of Brazil Runoff

Thousands of people took part in a student march in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, protesting against presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro and the prospect of the far right returning to power in Brazil. The demonstration came as campaigning began for the runoff election.

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, finished first in Sunday's opening round. The result shook Brazil's left, which is now trying to win back voters before the October 25 runoff. With drums, fireworks and chants, students shouted "Never Again Bolsonaro" and urged support for leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Marchers recalled Jair Bolsonaro's time in office from 2019 to 2022, especially his government's handling of the Covid pandemic. He called the disease a "little flu," yet it killed more than 700,000 people in Brazil, the second-highest toll worldwide after the United States. The march was reportedly far larger and livelier than Lula's rally at the same location on Friday before the vote.

Concerns over spending cuts

Flavio Bolsonaro has promised sweeping budget cuts, echoing the approach of Argentine President Javier Milei, whose economic reforms he has praised. Brazil is struggling with rising public debt worsened by high interest rates, while the election result pushed the Sao Paulo stock exchange to record highs. As it is unclear which cuts he will make, protesters pointed to those under Jair Bolsonaro affecting federal universities, research scholarships and the Farmacia Popular program, which offers free or discounted medicines.

Some participants also voiced concern over Flavio Bolsonaro's plan to seek amnesty for his father, who is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

Campaigns reset

Both candidates are adjusting their strategies. Flavio Bolsonaro is focusing on building coalitions, shrinking the state and modernizing the tax system, and has promised to use the right's new strength in Congress for constitutional reforms. Lula, almost 81 and seeking a fourth term, has shifted heavily toward social media, posting a video selfie for the first time on Wednesday. More pro-democracy rallies are planned in the coming days.