RismadarVoice Reporters
October 5, 2026
Brazil’s presidential election will be decided in a second round after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro failed to secure more than 50 per cent of valid votes in Sunday’s first-round election.
Bolsonaro emerged ahead of Lula with about 47 per cent of valid votes, while the incumbent president secured roughly 45 per cent, setting up a closely contested run-off scheduled for October 25.
The result represented a stronger-than-expected performance for Bolsonaro, as several opinion polls released before the election had projected Lula to finish ahead in the first round.
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth, non-consecutive term as president, while Bolsonaro, 45, is attempting to extend the political movement associated with his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The younger Bolsonaro’s performance demonstrated the continued electoral strength of Brazil’s political right despite his father being unable to contest the election.
Lula acknowledged that he had expected a stronger first-round performance but said his campaign would intensify its efforts ahead of the decisive vote.
The second round is expected to focus heavily on voters who supported candidates eliminated in the first round, as both Lula and Bolsonaro seek the additional support required to secure the presidency.
The first-round results also showed significant gains for conservative parties in congressional contests, potentially shaping the political environment confronting whoever wins the presidency.
A stronger conservative presence in Congress could complicate parts of Lula’s legislative programme if he wins another term, while a Bolsonaro presidency could benefit from greater support among lawmakers aligned with the political right.
Brazilian electoral authorities have scheduled the second-round vote for October 25, when voters will make the final choice between Lula and Bolsonaro.
The contest remains open, with neither candidate having secured the majority required to win the presidency in the first round.
