Brazil's Bolsonaro takes early lead as results trickle in for high-stakes election
EWZ•Senator Flavio Bolsonaro led President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with 50.74% to 41.14% of votes, with about 32% counted in Brazil's first-round presidential election. If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes, the top two face a runoff on October 25.
1. Early vote count
With about 32% of votes reported, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro led Lula with 50.74% to the president’s 41.14%. Early returns came faster from southern states that lean toward Bolsonaro, while votes from Lula’s northeastern stronghold were being tallied more slowly.
2. Runoff and campaign
If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes, the top two will face off on October 25. Surveys showed Lula and Flavio polling roughly even in a likely runoff. The campaign focused on corruption scandals, economic anxiety and crime, while both leading candidates skipped major television debates.
3. Economic pressures
Brazil’s public debt is above 82% of GDP, and the government lowered growth forecasts for this year and next to 2.0% and 2.3%, respectively. The next president will face fiscal concerns alongside voters’ concerns about living costs, household debt and crime.
