Brazil Votes in High-Stakes Lula–Bolsonaro Election

2026, October 4

Brazil

Brazilian voters are casting ballots in a fiercely polarized presidential election between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Polls suggest Lula is likely to lead the first round but that neither candidate will secure enough votes to avoid a 25 October runoff.

The election is being fought against a backdrop of economic anxiety, corruption allegations and accusations of U.S. interference. Flávio Bolsonaro has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump and has promised to seek amnesty for his father, while Lula has accused Washington of attempting to influence Brazil's political process.