Brazil: Bolsonaro Leads First Round Against Lula, Election Heads to Runoff

Right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro topped the first round of Brazil's presidential election on Sunday, overtaking President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but their fierce competition moved to a runoff scheduled for three weeks later after they failed to achieve the majority needed to win. The surprising result contradicted opinion poll forecasts that indicated Lula was ahead, as Flavio Bolsonaro secured 47% of the votes compared to 45% for the incumbent president. Report by our correspondent in Brasilia, Dede Abdullah.

The Brazilian presidential election has confirmed its direction toward a second round. The first round revealed a clear division in voter choices amidst discussions concerning the economy, security, social policies, and Brazil's position in its international relations.

The two candidates who advanced to the second round celebrated the result from their respective positions: Flavio Bolsonaro, who led the first round by a margin of two points, considered the result a clear message from voters, affirming that his campaign would continue seeking to expand its base during the three weeks separating the second round.

In contrast, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva acknowledged that the battle was not settled, calling on his supporters to prepare for a new round, and emphasizing that he now has an opportunity to address voters who chose other candidates. In the first round, the confrontations that began between Lula and Flavio enter, from this moment, their most sensitive phase, before the date of the second round on October 25.