BRASÍLIA, Brazil — Brazil’s presidential election is heading to a second round after right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but failed to secure the majority needed for an outright victory.
With virtually all votes counted, Bolsonaro received about 47pc of the valid vote, while Lula secured roughly 45pc, according to Brazil’s electoral authorities. The two candidates will face each other again on October 25.
The result gives Bolsonaro the lead going into the run-off, but he still needs to win over voters who backed other candidates in the first round.
Bolsonaro Beats Expectations
The 45-year-old Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, performed better than several pre-election polls had suggested.
His Liberal Party (PL) also recorded strong results in congressional and gubernatorial races, strengthening the right-wing bloc ahead of the second round. Bolsonaro has campaigned on tougher action against crime, lower government spending and closer ties with the United States.
He has also positioned himself as a successor to his father’s political movement. Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 election to Lula and was later convicted over a plot to overturn the result, endorsed his son after being barred from seeking another presidential term.
Lula Says Race Is Not Over
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term as president. He has built his campaign around his social programmes, economic policies and defence of democratic institutions.
The veteran left-wing politician had led several opinion polls before voting began, making Bolsonaro’s first-round performance a significant result for Brazil’s right.
Lula has sought to frame the election as a choice over the future of Brazilian democracy, while Bolsonaro has presented his candidacy as an opportunity for political and economic change.
The two candidates now have three weeks to court supporters of those eliminated in the first round.
Crime, Economy And Corruption Dominate Race
Crime and the economy were among the major issues shaping the campaign, alongside corruption and Brazil’s relations with major global powers.
Bolsonaro has promised tougher measures against organised crime, including designating major criminal groups as terrorist organisations and expanding maximum-security prisons.
Lula, meanwhile, has defended his government’s social welfare programmes, including Bolsa Família, while highlighting measures aimed at reducing poverty and supporting economic growth.
Brazil’s slowing growth, high household debt and concerns over living costs have also featured prominently in the campaign.
US And China Ties At Stake
The run-off could also influence Brazil’s relations with the United States and China.
Bolsonaro has aligned himself more closely with US President Donald Trump and is expected to pursue stronger ties with Washington if elected. Lula has accused the US administration of attempting to influence Brazil’s politics and has maintained closer economic engagement with China.
China is a major trading partner for Brazil, particularly for commodities including soybeans and beef.
The election therefore carries implications beyond Brazil, with the world’s largest Latin American economy facing a choice between two sharply different political directions.
The winner of the October 25 run-off will take office in January 2027.
