Key facts
- Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round of Brazil's presidential election.
- Bolsonaro secured 56.1 million votes, surpassing Lula's 53.8 million.
- The Liberal Party expanded its Senate representation from 15 to 28 seats.
- Bolsonaro criticized the Supreme Court's actions, including the conviction of his father.
- Voter dissatisfaction with Lula's government was high, despite low unemployment and high average income.
Flávio Bolsonaro has won the first round of Brazil's presidential election, a victory attributed to a "blue wave" of right-wing support across Latin America. Despite not securing an outright majority, his unexpectedly strong performance against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party sets up a challenging second round.
Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, secured 56.1 million votes, while Lula received 53.8 million. Polls had indicated a close race with both candidates statistically tied. Analysts suggest Bolsonaro's success may stem less from his popularity and more from voter rejection of Lula, whose government faced high disapproval rates despite historically low unemployment and high average incomes.
Bolsonaro positioned himself as a dynamic young politician addressing concerns like rising crime rates. He also leveraged criticism of the Brazilian Supreme Court, particularly its conviction of his father for an attempted coup and its role in the Banco Master corruption scandal involving banker Daniel Vorcaro.
Beyond the presidential race, the Liberal Party, aligned with the Bolsonaros, significantly increased its Senate representation from 15 to 28 seats. This includes the election of Jair Bolsonaro's wife, Michelle, and another son, Carlos, to the Senate, consolidating the family's political dynasty.
Political analyst Dora Kramer noted that both candidates will need to appeal to independent voters. While Lula faces an unprecedented challenge to overturn the deficit in the second round, the Bolsonarist right has solidified its position as a significant political force in Brazil.