← October 5, 2026 briefingPolitics
Brazil heads to runoff as Flávio Bolsonaro leads Lula
Brazil's presidential election goes to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro, son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro, won 47.1% of the vote — beating incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but falling just short of the outright majority needed to avoid a runoff. The result shocked many analysts who had predicted a closer first-round result, and sets up a deeply polarized contest that Washington is watching closely. The two candidates face off again on October 25.
MarketBrazil Presidential Election First Round Winner
Will Candidate A win the most votes in the first round of the 2026 Brazil presidential election?50% chance







