Brazil Election Goes to Run-off: Flávio Bolsonaro Wins First Round
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Brazil's Presidential Election: A Close Race
Image source: Reuters
Image caption: Flávio Bolsonaro casts his vote in Rio de Janeiro.
By Ione Wells, Americas correspondent, and Tinshui Yeung
Published 4 October 2026, Updated 7 minutes ago
Right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro has emerged as the winner of Brazil's first round of presidential elections, defeating incumbent left-wing President Lula da Silva. However, he did not secure more than 50% of the votes, leading to a run-off election on 25 October.
Key Takeaways:
- Flávio Bolsonaro secured 47.24% of the vote, while Lula da Silva received 44.91%.
- The result marks a surprising surge for Bolsonaro, making the second round a potential uphill battle for Lula.
- The election has polarized Brazil, with themes like sovereignty, crime, economy, and corruption dominating voters' concerns.
- This race determines whether Latin America's largest country will align with the region's recent trend of right-wing presidents or maintain its democratic traditions.
The Candidates:
Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth term, is known for his previous victories in 2002, 2006, and 2022.
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro, is backed by his father's supporters, many of whom were responsible for the 8 January 2023 riots following Lula's election win in 2022.
US-Brazil Relations:
During the campaign, Lula accused the United States of attempting to interfere in Brazil's elections, a claim denied by the Brazilian Supreme Electoral Court. Earlier this year, Flávio Bolsonaro successfully lobbied for the designation of two major Brazilian gangs as terrorist organizations, further straining relations with the US.