World · Brasília, Brazil
Brazil Heads to Runoff: Flávio Bolsonaro vs Lula
In brief
Right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro won the most votes in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, but no one passed 50%, so he will face President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a runoff on October 25.
According to official figures reported by Agência Brasil, with almost all ballots counted Bolsonaro received about 47.0% of valid votes and Lula about 45.2%. Brazilian law requires a second round when no candidate wins more than half of the valid votes.
The BBC reported that Bolsonaro’s result beat expectations, since Lula had been slightly ahead in campaign polling. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after the 2022 election. The BBC also said his Liberal Party was on course to have the most governors, senators and federal deputies, which would give it strong influence in Congress.
After the results, Bolsonaro told reporters that the vote showed Brazilians want change. Lula, 80, had described the contest as a choice between democracy and what he called barbarism. Crime, the economy, corruption and national sovereignty were among voters’ top concerns during the campaign.
Why it matters
Brazil is Latin America’s largest country and economy. The runoff will decide whether it follows several neighbours in electing a right-wing government, with consequences for trade, climate policy and relations with the United States.
Sources
- Agência Brasil: Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula head for runoff in Brazil’s presidential race
- BBC News: Brazil election goes to run-off as right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round
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