Brazil Votes in Runoff Election for President

Brazilian voters are casting their ballots today, October 25, 2026, in a presidential runoff election between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Neither candidate secured more than half of the valid votes in the first round on October 4, 2026, which necessitated this second contest[23][24][25][27][28][29].

This election will determine Brazil's leadership for the next four years and may shape the country's environmental policies, particularly those impacting the Amazon rainforest.

What the Records Show

The first round of Brazil's 2026 general election occurred on October 4, 2026[16][23][25][29]. During this initial vote, citizens elected officials for president, vice president, National Congress, and state positions[23][29]. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has served as President from 2023 to 2026, is seeking re-election[1][3][24]. He previously held the presidency from 2003 to 2010[4]. In the first round, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro garnered approximately 47 percent of the vote, while President Lula received about 45 percent[24]. As neither candidate achieved an outright majority, they advanced to today's runoff election[24]. Flávio Bolsonaro has served as a Senator for Rio de Janeiro since 2019, with his term extending to 2027[6].

What Changed

Environmental issues have become central to this election, particularly concerning the Amazon rainforest. During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio Bolsonaro's father, from 2019 to 2022, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased significantly[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Reports indicate a rise of 59% to 60% compared to the previous four-year period (2015-2018)[8][9][11][12][13]. This period also saw deforestation levels reach a 15-year high[10]. Critics contended that during this time, environmental agencies were weakened and environmental laws were undermined[7].

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has supported legislation that could further affect environmental protections in the Amazon[14][15]. He is advocating for a bill in Congress that would legalize the illegal occupation of public lands, a practice known as "land grabbing," and remove protections for parts of the Amazon forest[14]. This proposed legislation would allow individuals who illegally occupied public land before December 2018 to apply for private ownership[14]. He has also expressed support for opening Indigenous lands to mining and farming, which could lead to increased deforestation and human rights concerns[15].

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm specific public statements made by either Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or Flávio Bolsonaro during the official runoff campaign period regarding detailed environmental pledges for the upcoming presidential term. The evidence primarily details Flávio Bolsonaro's past legislative actions as a Senator and the environmental record associated with his father's previous presidency.