Bolsonaro leads Lula in the first round, setting up an October 25 runoff in a closely contested election marked by a strong showing from the right
Brasilia, Oct 2026 : Brazil’s presidential election is heading for a runoff after Senator Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Sunday’s first round, but neither candidate secured the majority required for an outright victory.
With more than 99% of ballots counted, Bolsonaro had secured around 47% of the valid vote, while Lula had received about 45%. Brazil’s electoral authorities confirmed that the two candidates will face each other in a second-round contest on October 25.
The result marked a closely fought first round and represented a stronger-than-expected performance for Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The 45-year-old senator is seeking to continue the conservative political movement associated with his father, while Lula, 80, is campaigning for a fourth non-consecutive presidential term.
Reacting to the result, Lula acknowledged that the outcome was not what he had expected. He said he had believed he could win in the first round but vowed to immediately begin preparations for the runoff.
“Tomorrow we start a new campaign,” Lula said, adding that he was confident about his prospects in the second round.
Bolsonaro, meanwhile, welcomed the result and said it demonstrated the possibility of a change in government. He said he was “very happy with the real possibility” that Brazil would deliver a definitive answer in three weeks.
The candidates monitored the results from different parts of the country, with Bolsonaro following the count in Brasilia and Lula in Sao Paulo.
Right makes gains
The first-round result also highlighted the strong performance of right-wing candidates and parties across Brazil’s political system. Analysts noted that the next president could face a challenging congressional environment, with the right making significant gains in legislative races.
Fabio de Sa e Silva, a professor of Brazilian studies at the University of Oklahoma, said the political momentum had shifted towards the right, although Lula remained in contention.
“He still has a chance, based on the numbers, but the momentum is with the right,” he said.
The researcher also pointed to the changing composition of Congress, saying that the strength of right-wing forces could make governing difficult for Lula even if he wins the presidency.
Lula campaigns on social programmes
Lula and Bolsonaro concluded their first-round campaigns in Sao Paulo state on Saturday. Lula toured Sao Paulo and addressed supporters at a large rally, where organisers estimated that around 150,000 people attended.
The Workers’ Party leader campaigned on continuing his government’s welfare programmes, state-backed development initiatives and income redistribution policies.
After casting his ballot, Lula urged voters to choose between what he described as democratic governance and the alternative represented by the far right. His campaign has sought to emphasise social protection and economic policies while portraying the election as a choice over Brazil’s political direction.
Bolsonaro promises change
Flávio Bolsonaro, who has served as a senator representing Rio de Janeiro since 2019, campaigned on stronger security policies, tax reductions and economic change. He has also focused heavily on concerns over crime and the cost of living.
On Saturday, he led a motorcycle caravan through cities in Sao Paulo state, while displaying a portrait of his father. Supporters responded with chants referring to Jair Bolsonaro as a “legend”.
After voting, Flávio Bolsonaro said Brazil needed change and argued that citizens could not bear continued economic pressure, including high taxes and concerns over violence against women.
The October 25 runoff will now determine whether Lula secures another term or Bolsonaro succeeds in bringing his family’s political movement back to the presidency.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
