Amazon deforestation and unemployment post record readings during Lula's term
Lula's record includes Amazon deforestation at a four-decade low and unemployment at a historic low.
Event / Politics
Brazil Presidential Election 2026
Brazil's 2026 presidential election, including environmental policy, deforestation efforts, and campaign developments ahead of the October 25 runoff.
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27 articles8 articles
2026-10-04 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Oct, 18:18 UTC
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What happened
Brazil holds presidential runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro
Brazilian voters are casting ballots in a presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth term, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Brasília time (20:00 GMT) in most of the country.
Flávio Bolsonaro pledges to make Brazil a member of the US-led Shield of the Americas alliance
Flávio Bolsonaro has said he would make Brazil a member of the US-led Shield of the Americas alliance, an initiative that describes its aim as combating transnational drug cartels, illegal immigration and organized crime in the region.
Poll averages put Flávio Bolsonaro at 48% and Lula at 46% before the runoff
Poll averages compiled on Saturday, October 24, 2026, showed Flávio Bolsonaro at 48 percent and Lula at 46 percent ahead of the runoff vote.
Flávio Bolsonaro leads first round with 47.03% of valid votes to Lula's 45.16%
In the first round of Brazil's 2026 presidential election, held on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.03 percent of valid votes and Lula received 45.16 percent. Because neither candidate exceeded 50 percent of valid ballots, the two leading candidates advanced to a runoff.
US State Department rejects allegation that officials sought to influence Brazil's election
The US State Department rejected the Brazilian government's allegation that the planned visit by two of its officials aimed to influence the election. The department stated the officials had planned routine meetings on election integrity, religious freedom, and freedom of expression.
Brazilian voting system is fully electronic with results published within hours
Brazilian voting is fully electronic. Each ballot box calculates results locally and prints a paper summary, and encrypted data is transmitted to the Superior Electoral Court in Brasília, which aggregates and publishes the counts within hours. The system has been in place since the 1990s.
Flávio Bolsonaro pledges to free his imprisoned father if elected
Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged to free his father, Jair Bolsonaro, if he wins the presidency.
United States imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil in 2025 linked to Jair Bolsonaro's trial
In 2025, the United States imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazil, a decision the Trump administration explicitly linked to the trial of Jair Bolsonaro. Many of those measures were later reduced.
Jair Bolsonaro was convicted in 2025 of plotting a 2022 coup and is imprisoned
Former President Jair Bolsonaro was convicted in 2025 by Brazil's Supreme Court of plotting a coup in 2022. He is currently imprisoned and is the father of candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.
Three Senate Democrats ask whether US will recognize Brazil's certified election results
On September 28, 2026, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking whether Washington would recognize the certified results of Brazil's election and maintain normal diplomatic relations with the winning candidate.
Trump hosts Flávio Bolsonaro at the White House
President Donald Trump hosted Senator Flávio Bolsonaro at the White House in May 2026.
Brazil's government denies visas to two US State Department officials
In July 2026, the Brazilian government denied visas to two US State Department officials. Brazilian officials suspected the planned visit was intended to influence the election and undermine confidence in the voting system.
No Brazilian presidential candidate has won after finishing second in the first round
No candidate in Brazilian presidential history has won the presidency after placing second in the first round of voting.
Flávio Bolsonaro received more than 2.2 million more votes than Lula in the first round
In the first round of Brazil's 2026 presidential election, Flávio Bolsonaro received more than 2.2 million more votes than Lula.
Pedro Sánchez expresses support for Lula in post on X
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly expressed support for Lula in a post on X, describing him as representing a Brazil that fights injustice and inequality and defends democracy against authoritarianism.
Brazil's campaign is dominated by corruption scandals, economic anxiety, and US interference claims
The Brazilian election campaign has been dominated by corruption scandals, economic concerns, and accusations of US meddling in the election, which Washington denies. The campaign has also been shaped by the aftermath of Jair Bolsonaro's conviction.
United States imposed new tariffs on Brazil in 2026 citing unfair trade practices
In 2026, the United States imposed new tariffs on Brazil, citing unfair trade practices. A year-long investigation by the US Trade Representative determined that certain Brazilian actions and trade policies were unreasonable and burdened or restricted US commerce. The United States currently maintains a 25 percent tariff on most Brazilian imports.
Thirty House Democrats and Senator Bernie Sanders send letter to Rubio on Brazil
On September 24, 2026, thirty House Democrats and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking the Trump administration to explain its actions toward Brazil ahead of its presidential election. The letter cited tariffs, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure as threats to relations with a strategic partner.
Javier Milei congratulates Flávio Bolsonaro on first-round performance
Argentine President Javier Milei publicly congratulated Flávio Bolsonaro on his first-round result in a post on X and expressed hope for closer trade, cultural, and political ties between Argentina and Brazil should Bolsonaro win.
Trump praises Flávio Bolsonaro in Truth Social post
On June 2, 2026, President Donald Trump praised Flávio Bolsonaro in a Truth Social post, calling him a 'smart young man who loves his Country, Brazil, very much!'
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2 alternative perspectives
About 160 million Brazilians called to polls for presidential runoff
About 160 million Brazilians vote October 25 to choose between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in the runoff.
Brazil's runoff election scheduled for October 25 amid tight polling
Brazil's October 25 runoff between Lula and Bolsonaro shows tight polling with approximately 160 million eligible voters.
Brazil's Amazon and Cerrado hit conservation milestones as election looms
Brazil achieves historic deforestation lows in Amazon and Cerrado as environmental record becomes election issue.
Polling tightens as Brazil enters final stretch before October 25 runoff
Recent polling reveals tight race between Lula and Bolsonaro as runoff enters final stretch.
Parliament approves 40-hour work week, reshaping Brazil's labor landscape
Parliament approves 40-hour work week, eliminating Brazil's six-day labor system amid campaign accusations of political opportunism.
Brazil's electronic voting system earns security and transparency praise
Brazil's electronic voting system praised for security and transparency in 2026 election.
Runoff contenders adopt divergent strategies as moderates withhold backing
Runoff finalists adopt opposing positions on U.S. relations and social priorities while moderate candidates withhold endorsements.
Lula and Bolsonaro clash over U.S. election interference allegations
Lula accuses Trump administration of interference; Bolsonaro vows to strengthen U.S. ties.
Runoff scheduled as Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro advance to final round
Brazil's runoff scheduled between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, with new president inaugurated January 5, 2027.
US imposes sanctions on Brazil over Bolsonaro trial proceedings
US sanctions Brazil over Bolsonaro trial amid presidential election.
Bolsonaro campaign emphasizes security and fiscal discipline platform
Bolsonaro campaign emphasizes security and fiscal discipline as primary platform priorities.