The bigger picture: Michael McCarthy of American University writes for Axios Expert Voices that the race remains wide open, leaving the future of the world’s fifth-most populous country and eighth-largest economy mired in uncertainty:
- "It is unlikely any candidate will win a majority in the first round of voting on October 7, which would trigger a runoff on October 26."
- "Brazil once sought to play a highly influential role on the geopolitical stage — both as a BRICs member and on its own as a counterweight to the U.S. during the Bush administration. That has changed as leaders have hunkered down to address the all-consuming domestic agenda. The next Brazilian president will probably have to prioritize domestic challenges, dealing another blow to the country's dream of projecting global power."
