Presidential Elections in Brazil and the Future of the Amazon Rainforest

Brazil is heading to the polls for the final turn of presidential elections that carry vital importance for the rightward shift trend in Latin America and global climate balances. While the election results are expected to directly affect the future of the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, approximately 2,400 people have been detained in France as a result of mass demonstrations and riots that have continued for days during the same period.

The final round of the presidential elections to be held in Brazil is evaluated as a turning point that could deepen the political orientation across Latin America towards the right. One of the most critical elements of the election stands out as the Amazon rainforest, which plays a critical role in global climate regulation and the absorption of carbon emissions.

In the elections held in 2010, the Workers' Party led by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had managed to get nearly 70 percent of the votes in the nine states making up the Amazon region. However, in the first round of voting held on October 4, Lula was able to receive 46 percent of the vote in this region. Public signs indicate that the majority of voters in the Amazon region may vote in favor of Flávio Bolsonaro, who rejects human-induced climate change.

On the other hand, the transformation of the largest protests of recent years into riots and looting on Saturday in France created a shock effect in the country. Approximately 2,400 people were detained as a result of incidents in cities such as Lille, Limoges, and Marseille where town halls were targeted, storefronts were smashed, and vehicles were burned. President Emmanuel Macron announced that those involved in the looting events and targeting the republican order will be held accountable.