Brazil's presidential runoff concludes with high stakes and record turnout

Brazilians are heading to the polls today, October 25, 2026, for a high-stakes presidential election runoff. The vote pits incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. This election is a critical moment for Latin America's largest democracy, with candidates holding sharply contrasting views on various issues, including foreign policy, the economy, and climate change.

The runoff follows a tight first round where Senator Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, secured more votes than President Lula da Silva, surpassing expectations from initial polls. Bolsonaro garnered approximately 47% of the vote, while Lula received around 45%. This performance has positioned Flávio Bolsonaro as a strong contender in today's deciding vote.

The election is a highly polarized contest, seen by many as a proxy rematch of the 2022 election, which Lula narrowly won against Jair Bolsonaro. With millions of registered voters not participating in the first round, turnout and the ability of each candidate to sway undecided voters are crucial factors in determining the outcome of this closely watched election.