Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round as Brazil heads to runoff against Lula
Right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro edged ahead of incumbent President Lula da Silva in Brazil's first-round presidential vote, but a run-off on 25 October will decide the winner.
First-round results
In the first round of Brazil's presidential election, right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, edged ahead of incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, though neither secured the over 50% needed to win outright. With 98.81% of votes counted, Bolsonaro had 47.24% against Lula's 44.91%. A run-off is set for 25 October. Bolsonaro's result exceeded expectations, and with rival right-wing candidates eliminated in round one, the run-off now appears to favour him. Casting his vote, Lula warned the choice was between democracy and "barbarism", while Bolsonaro said he wanted to "free the Brazilian people".
Family ties and background
Flávio is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for orchestrating a failed coup after losing the last election, and who was barred from running even without that sentence — prompting him to back his son instead. Jair's wife, Michelle, was elected to the Senate on Sunday. Flávio has pledged amnesty for his father and for supporters who vandalised government buildings on 8 January 2023. Lula is seeking a fourth term; in 2022 he beat Jair Bolsonaro by under 2%, the narrowest margin in Brazil's electoral history. Lula draws support from poorer, Catholic and female voters, while Bolsonaro is stronger in the south, among wealthier voters and evangelical Christians.
US, China and alleged interference
Brazil's top electoral court said no evidence of international interference was found. Lula made "sovereignty" central to his campaign, accusing the US of meddling. In July, Brazil denied visas to two US officials accused of trying to undermine confidence in the voting system — a claim the US called baseless — after Flávio reportedly falsely told diplomats Brazilian voting machines shared origins with Venezuela's. Flávio successfully lobbied Washington to designate two major Brazilian gangs as terrorist organisations. His win could draw Brazil closer to a US-led anti-narcotics coalition, though he has pledged a pragmatic relationship with China, now Brazil's top trading partner for soy and beef. Last year Trump cited Jair Bolsonaro's coup trial to justify tariffs on Brazil.
Corruption and security
The campaign was marked by a scandal involving jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro, tied to a major financial fraud. Flávio admitted asking Vorcaro to fund a biopic of his father after recordings surfaced of him requesting 134 million reais (about $25.9m). Lula was indirectly implicated, as police said Vorcaro sought help from Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who denies wrongdoing. Crime and security were also key issues — homicides have fallen, but street crime has risen. Flávio has pledged to label gangs terrorists and build El Salvador-style maximum-security prisons. About 160 million Brazilians were eligible to vote.
