PakistanBolsonaro Leads Brazil Election
Far-right challenger Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round, incumbent Lula calls result 'unexpected', runoff set for 25 October
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Brazil's presidential election will go to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, won the first round with 47% of the vote.
Incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received 45.1% of the vote, with 99.9% of votes counted.
Bolsonaro's result exceeded expectations, and he will now face Lula in a runoff on 25 October.
The far-right candidate's party, the Liberal Party, also won the most governors, senators, and federal deputies elected, giving them significant influence in Congress.
Lula said the result was 'unexpected' and that his campaign would launch a new effort to show the difference between his proposals and Bolsonaro's.
Bolsonaro told supporters that the result signalled 'the end of an era' for Lula's Workers' party and that he was 'worried about the future of Brazil'.
The election has polarized Brazil, with themes of sovereignty, crime, the economy, and corruption being top concerns for voters.
Key facts
- Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round with 47% of the vote
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received 45.1% of the vote
- A runoff will be held on 25 October
- The Liberal Party won the most governors, senators, and federal deputies elected
Three perspectives
Neutral
The outcome of the runoff election is uncertain, with both candidates having strong support. The election has significant implications for Brazil's future and its relationships with other countries.
Positive
Bolsonaro's victory in the first round has given him momentum going into the runoff, and his party's strong showing in Congress could help him implement his policies if he wins.
Negative
Lula's loss in the first round has raised concerns about the direction of the country, and Bolsonaro's pledge to grant amnesty to his father's supporters has been criticized by some as an attempt to undermine the rule of law.
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