On Sunday, 25 October 2026, Brazilians vote in the presidential run-off. On the ballot: incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, and right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro, 45. This is not the final tally. Voting is underway.

Flávio is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Jair was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for plotting a coup after losing in 2022; he is serving the term under house arrest for health reasons. The conviction is a fact. His release is not.

In the first round on 4 October, Flávio finished first without an absolute majority. US President Donald Trump called that result a “very big” victory. The BBC notes that no candidate who trailed after a first round has ever overturned the deficit in a Brazilian run-off — a historical observation, not a forecast for Sunday.

Flávio voted in the morning in Rio de Janeiro. He told reporters that “the time has come for real change.” He has promised a tough crackdown on organised crime, tax and spending cuts, and his father’s release. Campaign pledges. Not measures already in force.

Lula, on Saturday at Copacabana beach: choose between the one who kisses the Brazilian flag and the one who kisses the American flag. His government alleges US interference in the election; Washington calls the charge “baseless.” Allegation and denial, not a verdict.

After the first round, Lula’s supporters staged large rallies to lift turnout — after about 33 million voters stayed home earlier this month. Lula is set to watch the results in São Paulo; Flávio, in Brasília. Waiting places. Not declared winners.

Image: National Congress, Brasília, 10 November 2016 — Senado Federal, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons. The building, not candidate portraits.

Sources consulted: Brazil election: Voters choose between Lula and Bolsonaro's son — BBC; Polls close in Brazil's presidential election run-off — BBC Live; Flávio Bolsonaro votes in the election run-off — BBC News Brasil.