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Battle for religious vote turns Brazil election into holy war

13 Sept 11:13 Key points summarised by AI

Brazil's polarizing presidential election has transformed into a "holy war" as candidates Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fiercely compete for the religious vote, a crucial factor for nearly 60% of the electorate.
Incumbent Bolsonaro, a conservative Catholic, heavily relies on his strong ties with the booming Evangelical community (commanding 65% support) and leverages his devout wife Michelle to frame the election as a spiritual battle.
Challenger Lula, also Catholic, actively counters disinformation campaigns linking him to Satanism or plotting to close churches, while clarifying his stance on divisive issues like abortion to appeal to skeptical Evangelical voters.
Both candidates strategically use religion as a powerful emotional tool to mobilize their bases, discredit opponents, and sway voters in a tightly contested race where faith plays a central role.

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.