Flávio Bolsonaro leads Lula in Brazil election first round and secures key endorsements

First-round election outcome

Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round of Brazil's presidential election on 4 October 2026, receiving 47.03% of the valid votes. Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva placed second with 45.16%, creating a margin of 1.87 percentage points, or approximately 2.2 million votes. A total of 125 million citizens participated in the ballot across the country. The two candidates advance to a runoff election scheduled for 25 October 2026 to decide the presidency.

Coalition shifts and key endorsements

Following the first round, centrist and conservative factions began aligning behind Flávio Bolsonaro. União Brasil and the Progressistas (PP), two centrist parties currently holding cabinet posts in Lula's administration, announced their formal support for Bolsonaro on 6 October 2026. União Brasil currently oversees the Communications and Regional Development ministries, while the PP directs the Ministry of Sports. Party leaders Antonio Rueda and Ciro Nogueira released a joint statement outlining their rationale.

Flávio Bolsonaro has the profile of someone who truly wants to move forward with the commitment to modernize management, implement realistic proposals to improve people's lives, balance political forces, and reorganize Brazil's economy.

Former Brazilian president Michel Temer also endorsed Bolsonaro through social media. Defeated first-round presidential contenders followed, including Romeu Zema of the NOVO party, who received 0.27% of the vote (326,000 ballots). Ronaldo Caiado of the PSD, who finished fifth with 2.18% (2.6 million votes), formally endorsed Bolsonaro at a rally in Goiás, addressing past campaign clashes where he had criticized the candidate.

I went too far in my criticisms, I wanted to win, I wanted to be president.

Legislative balance and proposed constitutional changes

Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL) expanded its presence in the National Congress during Sunday's concurrent elections. The party won 121 of 513 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, an increase of 24 seats compared to 2022, representing 23.6% of the chamber. In the Federal Senate, the PL secured 19 additional seats to reach 28 of the 81 total places. In state executive contests, the PL won five governorships outright in the first round, while the Workers' Party (PT) won three, all located in the Northeast.

Speaking to supporters in Goiás, Bolsonaro stated that he intends to pursue constitutional amendments if elected. His stated proposals include lowering the age of criminal responsibility for violent offenses such as murder, trafficking, and rape, alongside chemical castration for convicted pedophiles and rapists. Under Brazilian law, constitutional amendments require approval by a three-fifths supermajority in two voting rounds across both congressional chambers.

International reactions and runoff outlook

United States President Donald Trump commented on the election on 5 October 2026, characterizing Bolsonaro's first-round performance as a narrow victory while praising the speed of Brazil's vote tabulation. Trump also contrasted the same-day Brazilian tally with voting procedures in US locations such as Detroit, Philadelphia, and California. Flávio Bolsonaro stated on 6 October 2026 that the remarks reflected Lula's growing isolation on the international stage. Lula has not yet secured formal endorsements from any defeated presidential candidates ahead of the 25 October 2026 runoff.