Brazil elects president: What will change for Russia and the BRICS On October 25, Brazil will host the second round of presidential elections. The current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of the former head of state, are fighting for victory. Experts told Nova Izvestia how the results of the vote could affect Brazil's relations with Russia and the future of BRICS. In the first round, Bolsonaro received 47.03% of the votes, Lula - 45.16%. However, before the decisive vote, the candidates were equal: the Datafolha poll showed 50% each. Who will win? Saint Petersburg University professor Viktor Kifetz told NI that Lula was able to reduce congestion thanks to an active social media campaign and a focus on social support. "Lola is working, relatively speaking, in a campaign that was well known to the Russians from 1996: 'Vote or lose,'" the expert noted. At the same time, Chafetz estimates the chances of victory as 55 to 45 in favor of Bolsonaro. What will happen to Russia and the BRICS? Bolsonaro's victory could lead to Brazil's rapprochement with the United States and a decrease in its activity in the BRICS. However, economic ties with Russia and China are likely to continue. "China is Brazil's largest trading partner, and Russia remains a critical supplier of fertilizers to its agricultural sector," political scientist Sergey Shershon explained to NI. According to experts, Bolsonaro may abandon initiatives to reduce the role of the dollar and expand the BRICS, while maintaining participation in economic projects. There are also internal political intrigues. If Bolsonaro wins, his allies could try to change the composition of the Supreme Court to win a pardon for his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. If Lula wins, Brazil will continue on its path towards multipolarity and BRICS development. But the strengthening of the right in the parliament will limit its possibilities. Whatever the outcome, it will not be easy for Brazil to completely abandon cooperation with Russia.

Brazil elects president: What will change for Russia and the BRICS On October 25, Brazil will host the second round of presidential elections. The current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of the former head of state, are fighting for victory. Experts told Nova Izvestia how the results of the vote could affect Brazil's relations with Russia and the future of BRICS. In the first round, Bolsonaro received 47.03% of the votes, Lula - 45.16%. However, before the decisive vote, the candidates were equal: the Datafolha poll showed 50% each. Who will win? Saint Petersburg University professor Viktor Kifetz told NI that Lula was able to reduce congestion thanks to an active social media campaign and a focus on social support. "Lola is working, relatively speaking, in a campaign that was well known to the Russians from 1996: 'Vote or lose,'" the expert noted. At the same time, Chafetz estimates the chances of victory as 55 to 45 in favor of Bolsonaro. What will happen to Russia and the BRICS? Bolsonaro's victory could lead to Brazil's rapprochement with the United States and a decrease in its activity in the BRICS. However, economic ties with Russia and China are likely to continue. "China is Brazil's largest trading partner, and Russia remains a critical supplier of fertilizers to its agricultural sector," political scientist Sergey Shershon explained to NI. According to experts, Bolsonaro may abandon initiatives to reduce the role of the dollar and expand the BRICS, while maintaining participation in economic projects. There are also internal political intrigues. If Bolsonaro wins, his allies could try to change the composition of the Supreme Court to win a pardon for his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. If Lula wins, Brazil will continue on its path towards multipolarity and BRICS development. But the strengthening of the right in the parliament will limit its possibilities. Whatever the outcome, it will not be easy for Brazil to completely abandon cooperation with Russia.