Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Bolsonaro's stronger-than-expected performance, at 47 per cent of votes versus Lula's 45 per cent, is expected to buoy his campaign and may bolster Brazil's currency and stock market, which have risen on the prospects of the business-friendly challenger.
“Brazil wants change and I am very happy with the results,” Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia after nearly all tallies were reported, heralding “the end of the era of (Lula's) Workers' Party.”
The senator, son of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election, now heads to an October 25 showdown with the leftist Lula.
Brazilian authorities, meanwhile, have launched an investigation into allegations of foreign interference in the election, as millions of voters cast their ballots in the closely contested race.
Federal Police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues said an inquiry was underway following a request from the Attorney General's Office. The investigation centres on claims that foreign funding may have been used to influence political debate in Brazil and target key state institutions.
The request was reportedly prompted by allegations published by the British newspaper The Guardian. According to Brazilian authorities, the claims suggest that funds linked to the United States were directed to organisations and networks operating in Brazil. Prosecutors are seeking to determine whether those resources were used to influence the country's political environment or undermine confidence in its institutions.
Rodrigues said the case had been referred to the Federal Police's intelligence division for analysis while authorities continued efforts to safeguard the integrity of the 2026 electoral process.
The investigation unfolded as Brazilians cast ballots to elect a president, governors, senators and members of Congress.
Incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, voted in São Bernardo do Campo in São Paulo state. Speaking after casting his ballot, Lula expressed confidence in both voter turnout and his campaign's prospects.
Bolsonaro voted in Rio de Janeiro shortly after polling stations opened. He also voiced confidence in victory, saying he hoped to restore optimism among Brazilian families.
Polling stations opened across the country in the morning and remained operational throughout the day, with authorities reporting that voting was largely orderly.
Federal Police said dozens of individuals had been detained on suspicion of electoral offences, including vote-buying and violations of campaign rules.
Election officials also reported some technical issues involving electronic voting machines in several locations. In a number of cases, malfunctioning machines were replaced with backup equipment to minimise disruption to the voting process.
The Organization of American States' election observation mission said voting was proceeding under appropriate security conditions.
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