Flavio Bolsonaro, presidential candidate of Brazil's Liberal Party, addressed supporters in Brasília on the night of 4 October 2026 after first round results confirmed he had secured approximately 47% of valid votes, the highest share of any candidate.
With over 99% of ballots counted, Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party held approximately 47% of valid votes, narrowly ahead of incumbent President Lula da Silva at 45%, according to the Superior Electoral Court — triggering a mandatory runoff.
Incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil's ruling Workers' Party held a press conference in São Paulo on 4 October 2026 after finishing second with approximately 45% of valid votes, heading into an October 25 runoff.
Under Brazilian electoral law, a candidate must win more than 50% of valid votes to avoid a runoff. With neither Bolsonaro (~47%) nor Lula (~45%) crossing that threshold on 4 October 2026, a second round was confirmed for 25 October 2026.
Incumbent President Lula da Silva addressed the nation from São Paulo on the night of 4 October 2026, with his Workers' Party preparing to contest the 25 October runoff against Liberal Party challenger Flavio Bolsonaro.
Screens in São Paulo displayed real time tallies from the Superior Electoral Court on 4 October 2026, confirming with over 99% of ballots counted that Bolsonaro led with ~47% and Lula trailed at ~45% of valid votes.
On the night of 4 October 2026, both Flavio Bolsonaro and incumbent President Lula da Silva addressed their supporters following the first round announcement, with the contest set to be decided in the 25 October 2026 runoff.
Brazil heads to a presidential runoff on 25 October 2026, pitting Liberal Party frontrunner Flavio Bolsonaro (~47%) against incumbent President Lula da Silva (~45%), after neither secured the majority of valid votes required by Brazilian law to win outright.