Brazil's runoff election pits Lula against Flávio Bolsonaro

Brazilian voters are heading to the polls on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to choose between left-wing President Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a race that will decide the country's political direction. Lula, who lost the first round with 45% against Bolsonaro's 47%, is seeking a fourth term, while recent polls show Bolsonaro leading with 51% of voting intentions. The election pits Lula's democratic defense against Bolsonaro's promises to fight crime and cut public spending, with the latter vowing to free his imprisoned father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The campaign has been marked by accusations of algorithmic manipulation against Meta, while analysts predict political instability regardless of the outcome, with a hostile Congress threatening Lula or conservative reprisals against the Supreme Court if Bolsonaro wins.