Flavio Bolsonaro surprises Lula in the Brazilian presidential elections, it goes to the runoff

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro surprisingly took first place ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil's presidential election; the challenge will be decided in a run-off in three weeks, given that neither of the two has achieved an absolute majority. In a result that contradicted poll projections, which gave Lula the lead, Flavio Bolsonaro won 47% of the votes against 45% for the outgoing president. If Bolsonaro were to triumph in the October 25 vote, the major Latin American power would join the marked turn to the right that has characterized recent elections in the region, a trend supported by US President Donald Trump.

The right advances in parliament

The election results also saw a series of clear victories for the right in parliament, representing a severe blow for Lula who, at almost 81 years old, is aiming for a fourth term to consolidate his political legacy. "I admit that I was convinced that we would win in the first round. The match is about to begin: in extra time we will win over the Brazilian people," said the 80-year-old. The left-wing veteran called the election a battle between democracy and "barbarism", warning voters that Brazil's sovereignty was at stake in the face of US pressure.

See also

Vote Brazil, electronic ballot boxes for Amazonian communities

Bolsonaro: "Happy". Lula: "Unexpected result but we will win"

Until a few months ago, Flavio Bolsonaro was a little-known senator; then his father designated him as his political heir, as he was unable to run himself as he was serving a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup d'état, following his electoral defeat in 2022. However, his father's high-sounding name won over the country's conservative electorate, allowing him to overtake Lula despite an electoral campaign marked by scandals and mutual accusations. "I'm really happy with the result," said Flavio Bolsonaro after the release of the data, underlining the "very real possibility" of a victory in the runoff. Voters in a deeply polarized nation appeared disillusioned with the now familiar options, and few voted with conviction. "This vote marks the end of the season of the PT, of Lula's party", added the Trumpian candidate. "The Brazilians have chosen the change. In three weeks the Brazilians, in the run-off, will say the final word against this corrupt government", he concluded. Outgoing president Lula does not hide his disappointment, admitting that the result was "unexpected". Then he added: "We are committed to the run-off and we will win. We will be able to convince the Brazilian people." He then illustrated the central points of his electoral campaign in the coming weeks, starting with the effort to attract the vote of those who abstained, a potential electorate of over 33 million people. "

In-depth analysis

Lula-Bolsonaro, the challenge for Brazil that impacts the rest of the world