From Lula Supporter to Bolsonaro Backer: Rio Becomes Stage for Personal Political Feud

In the bustling commercial area surrounding Governador Leonel de Moura Brizola Avenue in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, a shift in political allegiance is evident. It is not uncommon to find former voters of President Lula who have since embraced Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the last elections.

This dynamic reflects a broader political fragmentation and realignment occurring within Brazil. The area serves as a microcosm of the intense political competition, particularly between figures associated with Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, suggesting a personal rivalry that extends to the local level.

The presence of both PT (Workers' Party) and Bolsonaro supporters in the same neighborhoods underscores the deeply divided political climate. This local contestation mirrors the national political battles, indicating that the ideological and electoral struggles between these political forces are playing out intensely in regions like Duque de Caxias.