Bolsonaro, Lula advance to runoff in closely watched Brazilian presidential election

If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the two top contenders will face each other in a runoff on Oct. 25

Published: October 4, 2026 11:29am

Updated: October 4, 2026 8:22pm

Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and the son of a former president, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, advanced Sunday night to an Oct. 25 runoff in the Latin American nation's closely watched presidential contest.

Brazil's electoral court announced that neither Lula, the 80-year-old incumbent, nor Bolsonaro, the 45-year-old son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was poised to exceed the 50% threshold to win outright.

Brazilians headed to the polls frustrated by corruption, a sagging economy and crime.

The leading candidates are ideological opposites. Ten other candidates made it hard for Bolsonsro or Lula to win outright in the first round.

Lula, 80, is among the world’s oldest heads of state and is seeking the presidency for a seventh time. During his tenure, he has worked to strengthen Brazil’s ties with Beijing.

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