Brazil’s Bolsonaro and Lula Set for October 25 Runoff

Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s presidential election first round, but fell short of the majority required to win outright, setting up an October 25 runoff between the two candidates, according to electoral court results. With more than 99% of ballots counted in one reported snapshot, Bolsonaro had 47.1% of the vote and Lula 45%. Other preliminary tallies showed different shares at earlier count stages. The figures are not a final certified result, but the reports agree that neither candidate crossed the threshold for an outright victory and that they will advance to the runoff. Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator and the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, entered the first round as Lula’s main challenger. Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth, nonconsecutive term. The October 25 vote will determine who becomes president for the next term, which begins January 5, 2027. The first-round outcome differed from the expectations reflected in many pre-election polls, which generally placed Lula ahead. But those surveys varied, and the vote count now gives Bolsonaro the lead heading into the second round.