Far-right populist Jair Bolsonaro wins divisive Brazil presidential election

Far‑right candidate Jair Bolsonaro has won a sweeping victory in Brazil's presidential election.

With almost all of the votes counted, Bolsonaro has 55% of the votes against 45% for Fernando Haddad from the left‑wing Workers Party.

Bolsonaro campaigned on a promise to eradicate corruption and to drive down Brazil's high crime levels.

The election campaign has been deeply divisive. Each camp argued that victory for the other could destroy Brazil.

Pointing to the number of former members of the military he surrounds himself with, his opponents argue that Bolsonaro poses a risk to Brazil's democracy.

But many of his supporters view him as a "saviour" who will make Brazil safer and who will stand for traditional values such as opposing the legalisation of abortion.

Some celebrated in the street outside Bolsonaro's home in Rio de Janeiro, waving Brazilian flags and letting of fireworks.

[Source: BBC]