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Brazil’s presidential election will go to a runoff on 25 October 2026 after neither candidate cleared 50 percent in the first round. With nearly 99 percent of votes counted, right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro had about 47 percent of valid votes to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s 44.9 percent, according to Al Jazeera.
In this report
- The first-round numbers
- A result that beat the polls
- A stronger right in Congress
- What happens next
- Brazil runoff: your questions
The first-round numbers
Al Jazeera reports that Bolsonaro led Lula by roughly 56 million votes to nearly 53 million. Two other candidates, Ronaldo Caiado and Renan Santos, together took about 5.3 million votes and have said they will not endorse either finalist in the runoff.
A result that beat the polls
Al Jazeera’s analysis says Bolsonaro outperformed polling by about two percentage points, possibly helped by protest votes. Before the vote, one AtlasIntel survey cited by Bloomberg had put him narrowly ahead, at 47.6 to 46.6. We covered the run-up in our earlier election preview.
A stronger right in Congress
The Liberal Party (PL), Bolsonaro’s party, is on track to become the largest force in the Chamber of Deputies and gained ground in the Senate, per Al Jazeera. Michelle Bolsonaro, the former first lady, won a Senate seat in the Federal District, and Carlos Bolsonaro, Flavio’s brother, was elected senator in Santa Catarina. Jair Bolsonaro remains ineligible and imprisoned, yet the movement he built still showed strength.
What happens next
The two finalists now have three weeks to campaign. Al Jazeera notes that a stronger right-wing legislature could complicate Lula’s agenda if he is re-elected, or ease Bolsonaro’s if he wins. Live results coverage is on the Al Jazeera live blog.
Brazil runoff: your questions
When is the Brazil runoff?
The second round is scheduled for 25 October 2026, between Flavio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Who won the first round?
Flavio Bolsonaro finished first with about 47 percent of valid votes, ahead of Lula on 44.9 percent, with nearly 99 percent counted, according to Al Jazeera.
Why is there a runoff?
Brazilian law requires a candidate to win more than 50 percent in the first round. Neither did.
Will the other candidates endorse anyone?
Ronaldo Caiado and Renan Santos, who together took about 5.3 million votes, said they would not endorse either candidate.
Related reading: our report on UK budget pressure and the wider markets story.
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