Brasilia, October 24 (RHC-Xinhua) -- Brazilian presidential candidates have had to face up to the country's economic slowdown during their campaigns ahead of the run-off on Sunday.

Analysts said the most convincing proposals for reviving the economy could be the key to the race, after the International Monetary Fund earlier this month cut its 2015 growth forecast for Brazil by 0.6 percentage point to 1.4 percent and lowered its 2014 growth forecast to 0.3 percent from 1.3 percent.

Social Democrat challenger Aécio Neves' main campaign message has been that a change in government will boost the business sector and consumer confidence, leading to resumed growth in 2015 that will be in turn reinforced by a return to fiscal austerity and a more aggressive anti-inflation policy.

Rousseff, who is seeking a second four-year term, has pledged to reform the tax system, revamp her treasury team, and promote domestic consumption, arguing that Brazil's slower growth is the result of lower external demand due to the international economic crisis.