The rise of Jair Bolsonaro is not just a Brazilian soap opera. It is an event of global significance, the latest chapter in an unfolding story about the destruction of liberal norms and the rise of populism.

The first round of the Brazilian presidential election has left Mr Bolsonaro, a far-right populist, poised to win the presidency later this month. If he completes his victory on October 28, Mr Bolsonaro will be the latest addition to a global club of strongman leaders that includes Vladimir Putin in Russia, Xi Jinping in China, Narendra Modi in India, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, Viktor Orban in Hungary, and, of course, Donald Trump in the US.

Financial Times