World
Brazil votes in polarised election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro
Brazil's presidential election pits Lula against Flavio Bolsonaro, with high stakes on economy, security and foreign policy.
At a glance
Why it matters
The election outcome will determine Brazil’s political direction, foreign policy alignment, and ability to address economic and security challenges.
Key facts
- 160 million voters are eligible in Brazil’s presidential and legislative elections.
- Lula seeks a fourth nonconsecutive term, while Bolsonaro campaigns as a Trump ally.
- A runoff is possible if no candidate secures over 50 percent of the vote.
- Bolsonaro has faced corruption allegations, including a disgraced banker paying him for a movie about his father.
- The election is seen as a contest between opposing visions of Brazil’s democratic future.
What happens next
The final results will be announced on October 25, with a runoff if no candidate secures a majority.
Brazilians began voting Sunday in a closely contested presidential election between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters will also elect lawmakers, governors and senators in a race that could shape Latin America’s political direction. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two will face a runoff on October 25.
Lula, 80, is running for a fourth nonconsecutive term and has strengthened Brazil’s ties with China. Bolsonaro, 45, has positioned himself as a close ally of US President Donald Trump, advocating for better trade deals with Washington, including Brazil’s rare mineral resources. Bolsonaro has also campaigned on releasing his father from a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.
The election is marked by deep political polarization. Lula’s campaign faces challenges from an affordability crisis and a corruption scandal involving a disgraced banker who allegedly paid him millions for a movie about his father’s life. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has been criticized for his ties to his father’s far-right ideology and recent controversies with Roman Catholics over his evangelical base.
Polls show a tight race, with Lula holding a marginal lead. Analysts warn that the contest is more about accusations than policy proposals, with both candidates struggling to offer clear solutions to Brazil’s economic and security challenges. The outcome could influence Brazil’s foreign policy, with Lula favoring closer ties to China and Bolsonaro seeking stronger alignment with the US.
The election also includes state and federal legislative races, with 27 governors and 513 congressional seats up for grabs. Political consultants suggest that last-minute mistakes by either side could sway undecided voters in a deeply divided electorate.