Lula's tenure records historic unemployment lows amid Amazon conservation gains
Lula's term shows historically low unemployment and continued Amazon deforestation reduction despite campaign silence on environment.
Event / Politics
Brazil's 2026 presidential election, including environmental policy, deforestation efforts, and campaign developments ahead of the October 25 runoff.
2026-10-04 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Oct, 18:18 UTC
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Flávio Bolsonaro has admitted accepting about $12 million from former banker Daniel Vorcaro to produce a film about his father's life.
In the lead-up to the vote, Lula frequently described Bolsonaro as a threat to democracy.
Lula's government promised free public transportation on weekends as part of incentives since the first round of voting.
Flávio Bolsonaro has touted his proximity to the White House and denies that the US government is helping his campaign.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent candidate, is a left-of-center politician who first governed Brazil between 2003 and 2010.
Four years before the runoff, Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro by the narrowest margin since Brazil's return to democracy in 1985.
Brazilian voters went to the polls on October 25, 2026, for a presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he is watching the Brazilian election but declined to endorse either candidate.
Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion in connection with the film payments case involving Daniel Vorcaro.
The Trump administration imposed high tariffs on Brazilian exports.
The two candidates hold opposing positions on issues including relations with the United States, climate change and social welfare.
Flávio Bolsonaro has said Brazil needs to strike better deals with the Trump administration, including in the rare minerals sector.
Flávio Bolsonaro has promised to seek an amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, if he wins the election.
Brazil's Senate approved a proposal to end the six-day working week, a measure backed by the government.
Due to upcoming retirements, Brazil's next president will appoint at least three of the 11 Supreme Court justices during the next term.
Lula spent more than a year in prison on corruption convictions that were subsequently annulled.
In the first round of Brazil's 2026 presidential election, Flávio Bolsonaro received more than 2.2 million more votes than Lula. More than 33 million of nearly 160 million registered voters did not turn out.
Before the runoff, Lula criticized the US president and spoke about the risks of US intervention in Brazilian elections.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced in connection with an alleged coup attempt and is currently under house arrest.
Flávio Bolsonaro has promised to push for judicial reform and has long criticized the Supreme Court, which has been affected by a corruption scandal.
Lula's term shows historically low unemployment and continued Amazon deforestation reduction despite campaign silence on environment.
Presidential race features candidates with contrasting legal complications: Bolsonaro convicted, Flavio investigated, Lula exonerated procedurally.
Brazil held presidential election with 160 million voters; Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro competed closely.