Brazil’s presidential race goes to second round as Flávio Bolsonaro leads incumbent Lula
Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round but fell short of an outright majority, setting up an October 25 runoff.
TL;DR
- Flávio Bolsonaro and incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva advanced to Brazil’s presidential runoff.
- With 99.9% of votes counted, The Guardian reported Bolsonaro at 47% and Lula at 45.1%.
- The runoff is scheduled for October 25, according to Agência Brasil.
Brazil’s election is headed to a second round after Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva without securing an outright majority. The Guardian reported that, with 99.9% counted, Bolsonaro had 47% and Lula 45.1%. [1] [2]
Agência Brasil also reported that the two candidates received the most votes in the first round and that the runoff is scheduled for October 25. The next contest will determine whether the incumbent retains office or the opposition wins the presidency. [1] [2]
Why it matters
The runoff outcome will shape the direction of Latin America’s largest economy and the regional balance between the candidates’ political blocs. First-round results establish the contest, but do not determine the second-round outcome.
Editor's note
Vote totals are reported as published by The Guardian at 99.9% counted; Agência Brasil confirms the runoff date. Political labels are attributed to the cited reporting.