Lula gains 6.8 million votes in Centrão-run cities to secure reelection
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection was boosted by a 6.8 million vote increase in municipalities governed by Centrão parties, compared to only 2.5 million for rival Flávio Bolsonaro between the 2024 and 2026 election rounds. Lula's gains were driven by strong performances in major cities, including São Paulo, where he expanded support in middle-class neighborhoods. He also added 1.8 million votes in PSD-run cities and 1.1 million in União Brasil areas, despite that party's official backing for Bolsonaro. In PL-governed municipalities, Lula gained over 1 million new votes versus Bolsonaro's 510,000, while in PT-run cities Lula's increase of 510,000 votes far surpassed his opponent's 135,000.