Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro launch Brazil presidential campaigns
Brazil is getting ready to choose its next president in October.
Two main people are running: the current president, Lula, and a senator named Flavio Bolsonaro.
They both started their campaigns on the same Sunday.
Lula spoke to a big crowd at a stadium near Sao Paulo.
Flavio Bolsonaro spoke to a big crowd on a famous beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Flavio's father, the former president Jair Bolsonaro, could not come because he is under house arrest.
Lula said other countries should not interfere in Brazil's elections.
He also said Brazil should keep control of its rare minerals.
Both candidates tried to win support from women, who make up more than half of Brazil's voters.
The election is expected to be very close and competitive.
Brazil's presidential campaign formally began Sunday with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro launching their bids.
Lula addressed more than 10,000 supporters at Vila Euclides Stadium near Sao Paulo, a site tied to his political rise.
Flavio Bolsonaro rallied thousands of supporters on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro; his father Jair Bolsonaro, under house arrest, did not attend.
Lula warned against foreign interference in Brazil's elections and stressed Brazilian control over its rare mineral resources.
Both candidates courted women voters, who represent nearly 53% of Brazil's 158 million eligible voters.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro
- What
- Launched their presidential campaigns for Brazil's October election
- When
- Sunday, as the campaign formally got underway
- Where
- Brazil — Vila Euclides Stadium near Sao Paulo and Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
- Why
- Ahead of an expectedly competitive October presidential vote
Lula's leftist camp
Bolsonaro conservative camp
Education policy
Lula's leftist camp
Lula promised policies focused on education.
Bolsonaro conservative camp
Flavio Bolsonaro attacked what he described as left-wing ideology in Brazilian schools and said students should be able to aspire to entrepreneurial success.
Appeal to women voters
Lula's leftist camp
Lula promised policies focused on education and combating violence against women.
Bolsonaro conservative camp
Flavio Bolsonaro pledged to address crime and violence against women.
- Election
- October 2026 presidential election
- Incumbent candidate
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth non-consecutive term
- Challenger
- Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, age 45
- Lula's campaign launch
- Vila Euclides Stadium near Sao Paulo, with more than 10,000 supporters
- Bolsonaro's campaign launch
- Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, with thousands of supporters
- Eligible voters
- 158 million
- Women share of voters
- Nearly 53%
- Jair Bolsonaro status
- Under house arrest following conviction over an attempted coup