-Author-psychiatrist Augusto Cury a dark horse in Brazil's Presidetial Race

Augusto Cury, a psychiatrist and best-selling author with no previous elected office experience, has emerged as a surprise contender in Brazil's presidential race, unsettling a contest dominated by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.



Recent television appearances and strong social media reach have lifted Cury's standing in opinion polls ahead of the October vote.



Cury, 67, placed third in first-round voting scenarios released on Monday, garnering 11% (up from 2%) support in a Nexus poll commissioned by lender BTG Pactual and 7.8% (up from 1.6%) in an AtlasIntel/Bloomberg poll.



The results marked a rare shift in a race that has been dominated by the leftist Lula and the right-wing Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.



Cury's rise could reshape the dynamics of the campaign in the coming weeks, increasing pressure on the frontrunners to respond to a candidate seeking to appeal to voters dissatisfied with years of polarization.