Flávio Bolsonaro’s surprise first-round victory in Brazil’s presidential election has strengthened the political position of the Bolsonaro family, with the senator now heading into an October 25 runoff against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Flávio secured 47.03% of valid votes, compared with Lula’s 45.16%, according to Brazil’s electoral authority. Neither candidate crossed the 50% threshold required to win outright.
The result was accompanied by strong gains for the wider Bolsonaro political network. Former President Jair Bolsonaro’s wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, and son Carlos Bolsonaro won Senate seats, while another son, Jair Renan Bolsonaro, and Jair’s brother Renato Bolsonaro were elected to the lower house. The Bolsonaro-aligned Liberal Party also expanded its Senate presence to 28 of the chamber’s 81 seats.
Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest while serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup, remains a major influence over the movement despite being barred from running for office. His political comeback through family members has given the conservative bloc greater representation in Congress.
For Flávio, the next challenge is to broaden his support before the runoff and attract voters who backed other candidates in the first round. Lula will also have to rebuild his coalition after finishing second.
The October 25 vote will determine whether Brazil’s presidency remains with Lula or passes to the Bolsonaro family for the first time.
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