Brazil’s election: religion, race, and politics collide

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a narrow victory over challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in the October 25, 2026 runoff, securing nearly 52% of votes, highlighting deep national polarization. Catholics leaned toward Lula while evangelicals largely backed Bolsonaro, but a political scientist notes Brazil's evangelical community is diverse, with race playing a key role. Black Brazilians favored Lula, while white voters supported Bolsonaro, and Brown voters were split. Pentecostal and evangelical churches, where most members are of African descent, showed stronger rejection of Lula's party, while Afro-Brazilian religious practitioners opposed Bolsonaro's party. Black evangelical activists have increasingly challenged Christian nationalism and racism, with groups like "Christians for Democracy" backing Lula.