Geopolitics · Monday, 5 October 2026
Brazil heads to runoff as Flávio Bolsonaro edges Lula in first round
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, standing in for his father Jair Bolsonaro, who is imprisoned over his attempt to seize power by force, took 47.04% of Sunday's vote to President Lula da Silva's 45.15%, short of the majority needed to win outright. The two meet in an October 25 runoff after a vote marked by 21.08% abstention, the highest share in a first round since 1998.