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Explaining Brazil · September 30 · 27 min

Flávio Bolsonaro upsets the gods

Brazil votes on Sunday, and the final week of the campaign has turned on religion. A rumor that a Flávio Bolsonaro government would strip Our Lady of Aparecida of her title as Brazil's patron saint has spread through Catholic circles. The Bolsonaro campaign has reacted furiously, going as far as accusing the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops of spreading fake news. Gustavo Ribeiro and historian James Green (Brown University) explain why the controversy touches both devout Catholics and people who simply value the October 12 holiday, and why the Catholic vote may matter more than analysts assumed. They also look at President Lula's last-minute moves. These include a provisional decree banning online betting, a third round of his debt relief program, and a pledge to offer weight-loss drugs through the public health system. Gustavo and James discuss whether these measures can reach undecided voters in a race where polls give Lula a three- to five-point lead. They also compare Lula's pre-election spending with Jair Bolsonaro's 2022 payroll loans for welfare recipients. Join us live on election night, Sunday, October 4, from 5 pm (Brasília time), for English-language coverage of the results. Explaining Brazil is an independent podcast by The Brazilian Report, funded by subscribers. Subscribe at brazilian.report or support us at buymeacoffee.com/brazilianreport.

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Brazil votes on Sunday, and the final week of the campaign has turned on religion. A rumor that a Flávio Bolsonaro government would strip Our Lady of Aparecida of her title as Brazil's patron saint has spread through Catholic circles. The Bolsonaro campaign has reacted furiously, going as far as accusing the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops of spreading fake news. Gustavo Ribeiro and historian James Green (Brown University) explain why the controversy touches both devout Catholics and people who simply value the October 12 holiday, and why the Catholic vote may matter more than analysts assumed.

They also look at President Lula's last-minute moves. These include a provisional decree banning online betting, a third round of his debt relief program, and a pledge to offer weight-loss drugs through the public health system. Gustavo and James discuss whether these measures can reach undecided voters in a race where polls give Lula a three- to five-point lead. They also compare Lula's pre-election spending with Jair Bolsonaro's 2022 payroll loans for welfare recipients.

Join us live on election night, Sunday, October 4, from 5 pm (Brasília time), for English-language coverage of the results.

Explaining Brazil is an independent podcast by The Brazilian Report, funded by subscribers. Subscribe at brazilian.report or support us at buymeacoffee.com/brazilianreport.

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