Brazil

Bolsonaro favourite to win: What Brazil’s first round of elections tells us

Analysts say Flavio Bolsonaro is projected to win the run-off vote on October 25 and become Brazil's next president.

Brazil heads to run-off as Bolsonaro pulls off shock first place finish in first round

Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, pulled off a surprise first-place finish ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s election Sunday. However, with neither candidate securing a majority the vote now heads to a run-off in three weeks.

Bolsonaro in 'very strong position' as Brazil election heads to run-off

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro pulled off a surprise first-place finish ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Sunday's election, which heads to a run-off in three weeks as neither clinched a majority. However, with Bolsonaro gaining 47 percent of the ballet to Lula’s 45 percent, he is in a “very strong position” heading into the decisive vote, says France 24’s correspondent Time Vickery.

Wife, sons and brother: Jailed ex-president Bolsonaro’s family scores big in Brazil polls

Family members of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro won big in Sunday's general election, including the right-wing lawmaker's eldest son Flavio Bolsonaro, who surpassed President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first-round presidential vote. During the campaign, Flavio Bolsonaro promised to secure amnesty for his jailed father.

Bolsonaro beats expectations in Brazil vote, faces Lula in runoff

Brazil’s presidential election is heading to a run-off after Bolsonaro and Lula both fell short of the 50% needed to win

Watch: How Brazil's dramatic election unfolded

Millions of Brazilians took to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the country's presidential elections.

Brazil’s presidential race: Three key takeaways from the first round

Flavio Bolsonaro beat polling expectations as Brazil’s right gained ground, setting up October 25 run-off with Lula.

Brazil election: Bolsonaro and Lula head to runoff

Populist Flavio Bolsonaro has secured a thin lead over incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but the next president of Brazil will be decided in the runoff round, according to the country’s electoral court.

🔴 Brazil presidential election heads to runoff with Bolsonaro ahead of Lula

Brazil election: Early count puts Bolsonaro ahead of Lula

Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil's populist ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro, took on incumbent left-wing Lula da Silva in a presidential race. Early results show Bolsonaro in the lead.

Right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round of Brazil election

With neither candidate getting more than 50% of the vote, the election will go to a run-off on 25 October.

Brazil election: Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of populist Jair Bolsonaro, takes an early lead over rival Lula da Silva with over 30% of votes counted

Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil's populist ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro, took on incumbent left-wing Lula da Silva in a presidential race. Early results show Bolsonaro in the lead.

Brazil election results updates: Lula and Bolsonaro advance to run-off

These were the updates on the Brazilian general election for Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Brazil: Polls close in tight race between Lula and Bolsonaro

Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right populist President Jair Bolsonaro, is taking on incumbent left-wing President Lula da Silva. Polls show the first round of voting will likely lead to a runoff.

A Profile of Brazil's Potential President

France 24's Gavin Lee speaks to Brazil analyst Henrique Tavares Furtado about how Flavio Bolsonaro is pledging to reshape the country, and asks: who is the man behind the political persona?

Brazil heads to the polls for high-stakes election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also pick lawmakers, senators and governors in an election that will determine whether Latin America's biggest nation follows a regional swing to the right championed by US President Donald Trump. France24 International affairs commentator Douglas Herbert shares further insights.

Lula and Bolsonaro vote in Brazil’s polarised presidential election

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro have voted in a tightly contested election.

Brazil: Lula and Bolsonaro tied in polls

Brazilians began casting their votes on Sunday in a closely watch presidential election pitting incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Mara Nogueira, Senior Lecturer in Urban Geography at Birbeck, University of London, says the tight race reflects the consolidation of two political camps, with many Brazilians voting not out of support for a candidate, but to keep the other out of power. She points to the cost of living, religion and social media echo chambers as key factors shaping the vote, alongside a

Lula and Bolsonaro face off in Brazil presidential race

Twelve candidates are on the ballot, but the presidential race is centred on two rivals: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil’s sovereignty is at stake amid pressure from Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has highlighted his ties to the White House, saying Brazil needs better deals with the US, including over its rare mineral resources. Nick Rushworth has more on the controversial senator. Dr Andrea Aruska de Souza Santos, Director of King's College Brazil Institute in London, shares further insights.

Brazil votes in deeply polarised election pitting Lula against Bolsonaro

Close race expected as left-wing leader Lula seeks fourth nonconsecutive term against right-wing Flavio Bolsonaro.