Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva holds a copy of the Brazilian Constitution and a Brazilian flag during a campaign rally in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday. | AFP-JIJI

BRASILIA – Rony Amaral, 71, is terrified rightwing Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro will slash healthcare and pension spending if he wins Sunday’s runoff vote, so he is supporting leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva instead.

Amaral and his 91-year-old mother Aisa form part of a growing cohort of voters in fast-aging Brazil who could play a decisive role in the razor-tight election.

Since 2010, the number of voters over 60 has grown by 74%, according to IBGE, the government statistics agency, and they today make up nearly 25% of Brazil’s electorate, increasing their political weight.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

SUBSCRIBE NOW