Brazil’s Bolsonaro family recorded major gains in Sunday’s elections, with several members of the political clan winning congressional seats while Flávio Bolsonaro advanced to a presidential runoff against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished ahead of Lula in the first round. With more than 98% of votes counted, Flávio had about 47.3% of the vote, compared with roughly 44.8% for Lula, according to election results reported by international media. Neither candidate reached the majority required to win the presidency outright, setting up a second-round contest on October 25.
Bolsonaro Family Scores Multiple Election Victories
The presidential result was accompanied by strong performances from other members of the Bolsonaro family.
Jair Bolsonaro’s wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, won a Senate seat representing Brazil’s Federal District after receiving about 29% of the vote. His son Carlos Bolsonaro also won a Senate seat in Santa Catarina. Meanwhile, Jair Renan Bolsonaro was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, while Jair Bolsonaro’s brother Renato Bolsonaro won a federal deputy seat in São Paulo.
Several other relatives also competed for political positions, although not every Bolsonaro-backed candidate won.
The results give the Bolsonaro family a larger presence in Brazil’s national legislature and could influence the political environment ahead of the presidential runoff.
Flávio Bolsonaro Faces Lula in October 25 Runoff
The presidential election will now move to a second round between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula.
Flávio was selected by his father to continue the family’s political project after Jair Bolsonaro was barred from running and faced legal consequences related to a coup-plotting conviction. The younger Bolsonaro has campaigned while emphasizing his family name and conservative political base.
Lula, meanwhile, is seeking another presidential term and has framed the election as an important choice over Brazil’s political direction. During the campaign, issues including the economy, crime, corruption and the cost of living have been major concerns for voters.
A Closely Contested Election
Polling before the October 4 vote showed a competitive race. A Datafolha survey released shortly before voting had Lula ahead of Flávio in first-round voting intentions, while its runoff simulation showed the two candidates within the survey's statistical range.
The actual first-round result put Flávio ahead of Lula, ensuring that Brazil’s presidential contest would continue into October.
The runoff will determine whether Lula remains in office or whether Flávio Bolsonaro succeeds in extending his family's political influence to the presidency.
Bolsonaro Movement Gains Congressional Strength
Beyond the presidential race, the election results demonstrate that the Bolsonaro political movement remains significant in several parts of Brazil.
The Liberal Party, associated with the Bolsonaro movement, secured a large number of congressional seats, while Bolsonaro-aligned politicians also performed strongly in several regional races. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a former minister under Jair Bolsonaro, was also reelected, according to reports.
These results mean the October 25 presidential runoff will take place alongside a legislature in which Bolsonaro-aligned lawmakers have an important presence.
What Happens Next?
Brazil’s presidential runoff is scheduled for October 25, 2026.
The coming weeks are expected to focus on coalition-building, campaign strategies and efforts by both candidates to attract voters who supported other presidential contenders in the first round.
For Brazil, the election represents another major contest between the political movements associated with Lula and the Bolsonaro family.
The final presidential decision will be made by Brazilian voters in the second round.
