Flávio Bolsonaro came first in Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, but did not win enough votes to avoid a run-off against President Lula da Silva on 25 October.
With nearly all ballots counted, Bolsonaro had 47% of the vote and Lula 45%. Lula had held a narrow polling lead during the campaign. Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party was also ahead in the number of governors, senators and federal deputies elected in results so far.
The right-wing candidate is the son of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president. Jair is serving a 27-year prison term over a failed coup plot following his 2022 election defeat. Barred from standing, he backed Flávio, who has promised him and supporters responsible for the January 2023 riots amnesty if elected.
Lula is seeking a fourth term. He described the first-round result as unexpected but said the contest was not over.
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