Brazil votes in presidential runoff between Lula and Bolsonaro

Summarised from 6 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 25 Oct, 12:50 · Archive

Brazilians voted in a closely contested presidential runoff between incumbent leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro.

Brazil held a presidential runoff election on Sunday as voters decided between incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flavio Bolsonaro. The 158 million eligible voters faced a choice between the 80-year-old leftist seeking a fourth non-consecutive term and the 45-year-old right-wing challenger and son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro had won the first round three weeks earlier with 47 per cent of the vote to Lula's 45 per cent, a surprise result that defied most polls. The margin of 2.2 million votes was the narrowest recorded in a first round. Record abstention in that round disproportionately affected Lula's supporters, prompting his campaign to focus heavily on turnout in the runoff.

Polls heading into voting showed the candidates virtually tied in what multiple outlets described as a dead heat. Neither had secured the majority needed to win outright in the first round, triggering the runoff requirement.

Lula campaigned to continue social policies aimed at boosting employment and reducing poverty, framing himself as a bulwark against US interference and democratic backsliding. The 80-year-old former president served from 2003 to 2010 and returned to office in 2022 after a corruption scandal saw him jailed for over 18 months, though those charges were annulled on procedural grounds.

Bolsonaro pledged a tougher approach to crime and what he called 'real change', arguing that 'everyone's life has gotten worse' under Lula. He vowed that if elected he would pardon his father, who is under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup to overturn his 2022 defeat to Lula. A congressman for more than 20 years with few bills passed, Bolsonaro promised to 'change the constitution and re-democratise this country'.

Bolsonaro's slate of congressional candidates performed well in the first round, ensuring Brazil would have one of its most conservative congresses in years, positioned either to support Bolsonaro's agenda or thwart Lula's. The two candidates met for a final debate on Friday in Rio de Janeiro before wrapping up campaigns on Saturday, with Lula leading marches in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo while Bolsonaro joined a motorcycle caravan in the battleground state of Minas Gerais.

The outcome held broader regional significance. A Bolsonaro victory would extend a rightward sweep across Latin America that included conservative wins in Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, Chile, Peru and Colombia, part of what Fox News described as a 'red wave' championed by US President Donald Trump. A Lula victory would preserve Brazil's leftist course but potentially pose difficulties for Washington, given his opposition to Trump over trade and security matters.

How it is being reported

• Presidential runoff under way in BrazilBrazil is also heading to the polls today for a run-off vote that will decide who leads the country. The race is on a knife edge between incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio scored a major upset in the first round earlier this month, taking the lead in the vote. The campaign has been dominated by corruption scandals, economic difficulties and allegations of US interference, which Washington has denied. France 24 correspondent Jan Onoszko reports the latest from Rio de Janeiro.France 24 · 25 Oct, 13:52
• The week in pictures: Protests across France, wildfires in Indonesia and Brazilian electionsFrom student protests across France over the weekend and presidential elections in Brazil pitting leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro to wildfires in Indonesia, FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the most striking images from the past week.France 24 · 25 Oct, 12:48
• Voting under way across Brazil in tight presidential run-off between Lula and BolsonaroBrazil’s 158 million voters decide between leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Senator Flavio Bolsonaro – the son of former president and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro – following a highly charged run-off campaign period, with the candidates in a dead heat in polls. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.France 24 · 25 Oct, 12:46
• Brazil heads to the polls as son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro bids to enter officeThe hotly-contested election will determine whether Brazil remains one of Latin America's few leftist nations or joins a regional swing to the right championed by US President Donald Trump.Daily Mail · 25 Oct, 12:19
• Polls open in Brazil presidential runoffBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and sight-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro faced off Friday in their second and final debate ahead of Sunday's presidential runoff election. The two candidates repeated their campaign proposals, focusing on the cost of living and security, while exchanging allegations of corruption. France 24 Jan Onoszko telles us the latest from Rio de Janeiro.France 24 · 25 Oct, 11:40
• Brazil becomes next test for Latin America’s surging conservative movementLula da Silva seeks a fourth presidential term in Brazil in a closely contested second round election with Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, as security and safety concerns weigh heavily.Fox News · 25 Oct, 11:00
• Brazil votes in tight runoff between leftist Lula and right-wing Flavio BolsonaroThe high stakes election will decide whether Brazil will move toward the right or retain a leftist government.DW News · 25 Oct, 09:34
• Brazil 2026 election live: Lula and Bolsonaro in tight raceBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro square off in closely watched election.Al Jazeera · 25 Oct, 09:00
• Brazilians vote in presidential election runoff pitting leftist Lula against far-right BolsonaroIncumbent president lost in first round to senator and son of convicted ex-president Brazilians are going to the polls on Sunday in a highly unpredictable runoff in which the leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , is attempting an unprecedented comeback against the far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro , who won the first-round vote. Bolsonaro’s surprise victory despite not leading most polls made him the favourite three weeks ago, but since then Lula’s campaign has gained ground, and the two go into the contest virtually tied. Continue reading...Guardian World · 25 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Brazil · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Flavio Bolsonaro · Jair Bolsonaro · Donald Trump · Rio de Janeiro · São Paulo · Minas Gerais

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