Bolsonaro's Confidence Grows Heading Into Second Round Against Lula Da Silva

Jair Bolsonaro has expressed full confidence in his presidential hopes against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the second round.

After seeing the results of the first round, the incumbent Brazilian prexy is confident that he can overcome Lula da Silva, someone who is convicted of corruption.

Lula da Silva won more votes, 48% compared to the 43% total for Bolsonaro. However, what is startling is the unexpectedly high share that the incumbent president got considering most had tipped him to claim only 36% to 37%.

This rebuffed belief that getting re-elected was beyond his reach.

“After what happened yesterday, I rule nothing out – absolutely nothing at all,” Maria Cristina Fernandes, a political commentator said to the newspaper, Valor Econômico. “Bolsonaro is not out of the picture.”

For Bolsonar, it was the greatest patriotic victory in the history of Brazil. His son, Flavio, also hailed it a victory over the mainstream media, which has been relentlessly anti-Bolsonaro.

Worth noting is that the incumbent won in two south-eastern states, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, home to 47 million voters.

Hence now, Brazil is bracing for a frantic four-week campaign ahead of a runoff vote between the two presidential candidates. Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva are now slated to meet in an Oct. 30 runoff.

"It seems that fate wants me to work a little harder," Lula da Silva said to his supporters in Sao Paulo on Sunday. Regardless of the unexpected disparity, he remains confident of winning because Brazil allegedly needs him.

But as far as Bolsonaro is concerned, the polls show that he has beaten the lie.

"I understand that a lot of people desire change, but some changes can be for the worst," he said. "We tried to show this other side in the campaign, but it seems like it didn't register with the most important layers of society."