Right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro topped the first round of the Brazilian presidential elections on Sunday, ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but the competition between them will move to a runoff scheduled in three weeks, after neither managed to secure the majority needed to win.

The results defied polling expectations that had indicated Lula's lead, as Flavio Bolsonaro received 47% of the votes, compared to 45% for the current president.

This result comes at a time when right-wing forces have achieved a series of victories in Latin America, supported and encouraged by U.S. President Donald Trump, and the shift of the largest economy in the region to the right could mark a significant turning point.

The election results also showed a wide range of victories for the right in parliament, marking a significant setback for Lula, who is seeking a fourth presidential term to bolster his political legacy.

Lula, 80, said: «I admit that I was convinced I would win in the first round. The match is about to begin, and we are now in extra time. In extra time, we will gain the support of the Brazilian people.»

He added: «I am very skilled in knockout stages.»

The veteran leftist politician described the election as a battle between democracy and «barbarism,» warning voters that Brazil's sovereignty is at stake in the face of U.S. pressures.

Flavio Bolsonaro was not widely known before being pushed into the race by his father, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to cling to power after losing to Lula in the 2022 elections.

However, his father's name helped sway the conservative base in the country, and Flavio managed to surpass Lula despite a campaign marked by scandals and accusations.

The right-wing senator said: «I am really very happy with the result,» praising the «very realistic possibility» of winning in the runoff.

There was a sense of boredom among voters in this deeply divided country due to the familiar political choices, with only a few voting with complete conviction.

Oscarina de Oliveira, 62, who assists the elderly in Rio de Janeiro, said: «I always voted for Lula, but when I got to the polling station, I changed my mind and chose Bolsonaro... for a change.»

 

The Bolsonaro Lineage

The election campaign witnessed more scandals and personal attacks than discussions of programs, with accusations of embezzlement being exchanged, especially since Flavio Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption and money laundering, while Lula spent more than 18 months in prison during 2018 and 2019 on corruption charges, before his conviction was annulled on procedural grounds.

However, these issues did not seem to have much impact on the positions of many voters.

Bolsonaro received 56 million votes, surpassing his father Jair Bolsonaro's performance in the 2018 elections, which he won, and in 2022.

João Batista, a 36-year-old technology worker living in the poor neighborhood of Rocinha, said: «The situation is really terrible. From my perspective, the left is no longer viable.» He expressed his dissatisfaction with the «exorbitant» rise in the cost of basic goods.

Flavio Bolsonaro confirmed on Sunday that as president, he would have the authority to appoint four judges to the influential Supreme Court, which convicted his father and was at the center of major political and criminal scandals.

The elections marked a significant return for the Bolsonaro family after Jair Bolsonaro lost to Lula in 2022, followed by violent riots in the capital that ended with his conviction last year for attempted coup.

Former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro and another son of Jair Bolsonaro, Carlos Bolsonaro, won seats in the Senate.

Jair Renan, the youngest son of Jair Bolsonaro, aged 28, also won a seat in the federal parliament.

Despite presenting himself as a more «moderate» figure compared to his father, known for his sharp and controversial views, his critics expressed concerns about his political return.

Anderson de Almeida, a 45-year-old building guard, said: «Flavio is a danger to Brazil; he represents a step backward. We see everything his father did... He really destroyed Brazil.»

 

Trump is Watching

Trump said he is «closely following» the Brazilian elections but has not announced his support for Flavio Bolsonaro.

Trump imposed strict tariffs and sanctions on Brazil following the trial of his ally Jair Bolsonaro, while large American flags and symbols referring to the U.S. president appeared at right-wing campaign rallies.

In contrast, Lula has repeatedly warned Trump against «interference» in the elections.

Lula returned to power in 2023, known for his social programs that lifted millions out of poverty in the early 2000s, and he relies on a decrease in unemployment to historic lows, but voters complain about rising living costs and rampant crime.

Lula also significantly curtailed deforestation in the Amazon after Bolsonaro's presidency saw a surge in the destruction of the world's largest rainforest, sparking a wave of international condemnation.

Bolsonaro, a supporter of a close partnership with Washington, promised to crack down on crime and take firm action to address rising public debt.