Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would win the first round in all potential scenarios and a possible runoff against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the upcoming presidential election, if they were held today, Reuters reported, citing a study by the sociological agency "Quaest" commissioned by the investment company "Genial", BTA writes.
In seven scenarios for the outcome of the first round with different opponents, Lula da Silva collects between 35 and 39 percent of the vote. Also after playing out different scenarios, Flavio Bolsonaro is expected to receive between 29 and 33 percent of the vote, according to the survey, which does not include the candidacy of Sao Paulo state governor Tarcisio de Freitas.
In a runoff, Lula da Silva is expected to collect 43 percent of the vote against 38 percent for Bolsonaro, the poll showed.
Markets are closely watching the polls after former President Jair Bolsonaro's support for his son Flavio led to a collapse in the Brazilian currency and stocks in December, as investors expected him to support the candidacy of the more market-oriented De Freitas.
The sociological survey was conducted among 2,004 people between February 5 and 9, and the statistical error is within two percentage points, Reuters notes.