Brazil is facing a runoff election between Lula and Bolsonaro's son

The presidential election in Brazil will be decided in a runoff between the left-wing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro. According to preliminary information from the electoral authority, after 97 percent of the votes were counted, Lula got around 44.6 percent, his right-wing rival got 47.4 percent - both of them missed the absolute majority required for victory in the first round of voting.

It will be decided on October 25th whether the 80-year-old Lula will run for a fourth term in office or the 45-year-old son of former President Jair Bolsonaro will take over the government. Around 159 million Brazilians were called to vote.

Lula from the PT workers' party stands for the continuation of the policies he has pursued since 2023 with social programs, public investments and a stronger role for the state. Flávio Bolsonaro from the Liberal Party PL, on the other hand, promises a leaner state, spending cuts and a tougher line against crime. The election campaign is characterized by strong polarization.

Lula ruled Brazil from 2003 to 2011. His record during the current term is mixed: unemployment fell, the minimum wage was raised and deforestation in the Amazon region fell. At the same time, rising living costs, high government spending and debts as well as corruption scandals are putting pressure on the government.

Four years ago, Lula faced off against Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for his role in an attempted coup. Now his son wants to continue his father's political legacy. One of his central campaign promises is an amnesty for his father.

Other members of the Bolsonaro family have already achieved electoral success: Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro was elected to the Senate in the Federal District of Brasília. Carlos Bolsonaro, another son of the former president, also won a Senate seat - in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

The central theme of the election: security

Crime is one of the biggest concerns of many Brazilians. Drug gangs control areas in parts of the country and are involved in drug trafficking and other illegal businesses. Violence against women also remains a major problem.

Flávio Bolsonaro is taking a particularly tough course. During the election campaign, he announced around half a million additional detention places and high-security prisons based on the model in El Salvador. He also wants to fight criminal organizations more strongly. Lula is placing greater emphasis on combating the financial structures of organized crime.

Foreign policy was also part of the election campaign. US President Donald Trump had politically supported Jair Bolsonaro and criticized the criminal prosecution of the former head of state. Flávio Bolsonaro became closer to Trump's political camp during the election campaign and met him at the White House in Washington. Lula, on the other hand, is placing greater emphasis on defending Brazilian sovereignty and trying to stabilize relations with the USA despite conflicts with Washington.

As the largest economy and most populous country in Latin America, Brazil is an important political player in the region - a victory for Lula would keep the country as a political counterpoint to the regional shift to the right. Under Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazil would orient itself more towards Washington and conservative governments in the region, which would also significantly expand Trump's influence in Latin America.

Regardless of the outcome of the runoff election, the future government will rely on majorities in Congress. At the same time as the president, members of parliament and senators, among others, were elected on Sunday.