Brazil is heading for a presidential run-off after right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the first round of the 2026 election.
Bolsonaro secured about 47% of the vote, while Lula received roughly 45%, according to results reported after the vote. Neither candidate reached the more than 50% threshold required to win the presidency outright.
The second-round election is scheduled for October 25, when Brazilian voters will choose between the two leading candidates for the presidency of Latin America's largest economy.
Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and had been expected by some opinion polls to trail Lula in the first round. His stronger-than-expected performance gives Brazil's conservative movement a significant boost heading into the runoff.
Lula, 80, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term as president. His campaign focused on his record in government, social programmes and economic policies, while Bolsonaro sought to capitalize on concerns over living costs, crime, public finances and dissatisfaction with the current administration.
The result also represents a major political comeback for the Bolsonaro family. Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted over a plot to overturn the 2022 election result, has backed his son as his political successor.
The election campaign has been marked by deep political polarization. Economic concerns, corruption allegations and questions about the country's relationship with the United States featured prominently in the contest.
The outcome of the first round does not determine the next president. Both campaigns will now seek support from voters who backed the other candidates, while the candidates who finished outside the top two assess whether and how to support either Bolsonaro or Lula.
Brazil's electoral authorities have said the voting process was conducted smoothly, with no significant irregularities reported. The October 25 runoff will ultimately determine who takes office in January 2027.