In the first round on October 4, Bolsonaro led with 47.03% of valid votes (about 56.1 million) while Lula had 45.16% (about 53.9 million), a margin of roughly 2.2 million votes.

Lula’s platform centers on expanding social welfare, public investment, jobs, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and a strong state role with fiscal sustainability.

The election is seen as pivotal amid Brazil’s political polarization and could have broader regional implications for Latin America’s largest economy.

Bolsonaro advocates a conservative agenda: tough on crime, reducing bureaucracy, controlled spending, encouraging private investment, and continuing his father’s political path.

Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time on October 25 for the second round, which features incumbent Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro.

Foreign policy differences: Lula prioritizes strategic autonomy and multilateral cooperation, with ties to China and BRICS, while Bolsonaro favors closer U.S. ties in trade and security.

Nearly 160 million eligible voters participated in the second-round election, with results expected after 5 p.m. local time.

Turnout in the first round was 21.08% (about 33.47 million people), a factor in evaluating second-round dynamics.