Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Brazil Votes in Tight Lula-Bolsonaro Race as Trump Looms
Brazil is voting for its next president in a very close election.
The main candidates are current President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
Polls show that many voters support each candidate, though one poll gave Lula a small lead.
If neither candidate gets more than half of the valid votes, the top two will vote again on October 25.
The candidates have different ideas about Brazil’s economy and its relationship with the United States.
Voters are also concerned about crime and the cost of living.
The campaign has included arguments about corruption and whether the United States is trying to influence Brazil.
People are also choosing lawmakers and state officials.
Brazilian voters are choosing between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely contested presidential election.
Polls show a close race; a Datafolha poll cited by ThePrint put Lula at 45% and Bolsonaro at 40% in the first round.
If no candidate wins more than half of valid votes, the top two will compete in a runoff on October 25.
The campaign has focused on crime, living costs, corruption allegations, Brazil’s relationship with the United States, and competing economic approaches.
Voters are also choosing all 513 lower-house members, two-thirds of the Senate, and state-level officials.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are the leading candidates.
- What
- Brazil is holding a presidential election alongside legislative and state-level elections.
- When
- The first round is on Sunday; a runoff is scheduled for October 25 if needed.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Voters are choosing the country’s next president and representatives amid disagreements over policy, the economy, and Brazil’s international relationships.
Lula and his campaign
Flávio Bolsonaro and his campaign
Economic direction
Lula and his campaign
Lula’s campaign emphasizes national sovereignty and strengthening Brazil’s defense industry; Reuters describes his likely approach as state-led with modest spending restraint.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his campaign
Flávio Bolsonaro favors a more market-oriented approach, including spending cuts, privatizations, and concessions.
Relations with the United States
Lula and his campaign
Lula has criticized US tariffs and described them as interference in Brazil’s affairs and election.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his campaign
Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged closer ties with the United States and Israel and welcomed the US designation of major Brazilian gangs as terrorist groups.
Jair Bolsonaro’s sentence
Lula and his campaign
Jair Bolsonaro was convicted over an attempt to overturn the 2022 election and is serving a prison sentence.
Flávio Bolsonaro and his campaign
Flávio Bolsonaro has promised to seek amnesty or a pardon for his father if elected.
- Leading candidates
- Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
- Datafolha poll cited by ThePrint
- Lula at 45% and Flávio Bolsonaro at 40% in the first round.
- Runoff condition
- A candidate must receive more than 50% of valid votes to win in the first round.
- Possible runoff date
- October 25.
- Eligible voters
- An estimated 160 million, according to ThePrint.
- Other elections
- All 513 Chamber of Deputies seats, two-thirds of the Senate, and state-level offices are being contested.
- Campaign issues
- Crime, taxes, living costs, corruption allegations, economic policy, and relations with the United States.
- Candidates' stated approaches
- Lula has emphasized national sovereignty; Flávio Bolsonaro has advocated privatization and closer ties with the United States.
