Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro ahead in Brazil election
Bolsonaro takes the lead but fails to win outright majority, forcing run-off

Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro has topped the first round of Brazil’s presidential election, after a bitter campaign that has caused deep divisions across the country.
However, the 63-year-old did not reach the 50% threshhold needed to secure outright victory from a field of 13 candidates and will face off against left-wing Workers Party candidate Fernando Haddad in a second-round run-off vote on 28 October.
Bolsonaro, who claimed 46% of the vote to Haddad’s 29%, will go into the contest as a clear favourite, the BBC reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Following the ballot, Bolsonaro blamed unspecified “problems” with the electronic voting system used in Brazil for his failure to gain an outright majority.
“I am certain that if this hadn't happened, we would have known the name of the president of the republic tonight,” he told supporters.
Support for the tough-on-crime nationalist soared after he was stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally in the city of Juiz de Fora last month, an incident CNN says “seemed to symbolize the uncharted territory into which the election was heading”.
Casting his vote on Sunday, Bolsonaro was surrounded by a heavy security presence, and was reportedly wearing a bulletproof vest.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Does Reform have a Russia problem?
Talking Point Nigel Farage is ‘in bed with Putin’, claims Rachel Reeves, after party’s former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to taking bribes from the Kremlin
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace deal
The Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
See the Northern Lights from these bucket list destinations
The Week Recommends The dazzling displays can be spotted across Iceland, Sweden and parts of Canada
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Brazilian ‘bandit bill’ prompts mass protests over potential Bolsonaro pardon
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Efforts to evade consequences for an attempted coup and civic unrest have pushed thousands into the streets
-
Passing sentence in Brazil: the jailing of Jair Bolsonaro
In the Spotlight In convicting Brazil’s former president, its Supreme Court has sent a powerful message about democratic accountability – but the victory may be only temporary
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come