Brazil 2026 presidential election runoff
Brazil's 2026 presidential election, in which incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, advanced to a runoff after neither won a majority in the first round. The campaign was marked by tight polling and personal attacks between the candidates.
Current state
Brazil's 2026 presidential election is heading to a 25 October runoff between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro; Bolsonaro finished the first round with a narrow lead and is now viewed as the favorite to win the presidency.
4 sources · 4 reports · Updated 6 Oct 2026
What changed
Flávio Bolsonaro is now viewed as the favorite to win Brazil's presidency after finishing the first round with a narrow lead.
Developments
- Key development
Brazil's electoral authority confirmed a 25 October runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, with early counts showing Bolsonaro ahead.
- Key development
Brazilians voted in the first round on 4 October, with no candidate securing an outright majority.
Current story coverage
Earlier coverage
- Bolsonaro clan wins big in multiple Brazil polls The Bolsonaro clan claimed victory in every race they contested in Brazil on Sunday, as Flavio Bolsonaro surpassed President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a first-round vote and several other family members won seats in Congress.
- Voting in Brazil's 2026 presidential election has begun, with polls showing Lula and Bolsonaro nearly tied 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.
- Brazil’s Lula and Bolsonaro close campaigns ahead of critical election Latest polls suggest Lula's lead over Bolsonaro is narrowing, with neither candidate likely to win outright on Sunday.