BRASILIA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two days after the first round of elections, several of Brazil's political parties began Tuesday the process of aligning themselves with the two presidential front-runners.
The second round will be held on Oct. 28 between Jair Bolsonaro, from the Social Liberal Party (PSL), and Workers' Party's (PT) Fernando Haddad.
Bolsonaro had a strong lead in the first round of elections on Sunday, winning 46 percent of the votes in a contest between 13 candidates.
The Brazilian Labor Party (PTB) announced it was endorsing right-wing candidate Bolsonaro, citing his backing of liberal economic policies that favor deregulation and spending cuts.
The Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) and the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL) threw their support behind left-leaning rival Haddad, who followed Bolsonaro with 28 percent of the votes. So did the Free Nation Party (PPL).
The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which ranked fourth in Sunday's election, decided on Tuesday to remain neutral in the second round. The party members will be free to declare their personal support for whichever candidate they prefer.
The decision is surprising given that the PSDB lost the past four presidential elections to the PT - and won two before that. The PT and the PSDB are the most notorious rivals in Brazilian politics, and the fact that some PSDB members may choose to rally behind the PT shows the change in the dynamics of this election.
In addition, several smaller parties, including the New Party, the Progressive Party and the Christian Democrats, announced themselves neutral, allowing their members to vote for whichever candidate they want.
The Democratic Labor Party (PDT), whose candidate Ciro Gomes came in third with 12.5 percent of the votes, has yet to make an announcement.
Gomes had earlier indicated he would ask his supporters to back the PT candidate Haddad. PDT leaders will hold an executive meeting on Wednesday.
The Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), to which current President Michel Temer is affiliated, has yet to announced its support.
Based on the results in the first round, Haddad will need an ample coalition to beat Bolsonaro in the run-off.
