Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro face off in Brazil election 2026 second round results
A runoff between two candidates
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking another term as Brazil’s president after a shock first-round defeat. His opponent is Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted.
Neither candidate passed the 50% threshold on 4 October, sending the two leading contenders to a second round. Polls are scheduled to close at 17.00 BRT, or 20.00 GMT, and the first results are expected within an hour.
A changed state result
Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 runoff. Lula’s support was concentrated in the north-east, while Bolsonaro led in the south. In 2022, Lula entered the runoff as the first-round leader and won Minas Gerais, a state north of Rio de Janeiro. In the 2026 first round, Flávio Bolsonaro took the state, winning 48.43% to Lula’s 43.33%.
Long presidential careers
Lula has served longer than any other president in Brazil’s modern history. He held office from 2003 to 2010 and returned in 2023. Lula will turn 81 on Tuesday. Flávio Bolsonaro is 45.
Key points
- Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro are competing in Brazil’s presidential runoff.
- Neither candidate won more than 50% in the 4 October first round.
- Flávio Bolsonaro beat Lula in Minas Gerais, 48.43% to 43.33%.
- Polls close at 17.00 BRT, with first results expected within an hour.