Flavio Bolsonaro, eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, wins the first round of the presidential elections in Brazil with 47.03% of the votes thanks to over 56 million votes obtained, while Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reached 45.16% with almost 54 million votes, with a difference between the two of just over 2 million. Having failed to reach the 50% threshold of votes, Bolsonaro and Lula will go to a run-off on October 25 to determine who will be Brazil’s fortieth president.
“Brazil wants change. This is the main message. I am very satisfied with the results in all regions. This vote marks the end of the season of the PT, of Lula’s party”, commented Flavio Bolsonaro during a speech in Brasilia.
Outgoing president Lula da Silva does not hide his disappointment. He admitted that the result of the first round was unexpected: “I was convinced that I would win the election in the first round.”
Flavio Bolsonaro in the name of his father Jair
Flavio Bolsonaro is the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. He inherited the leadership of the conservative right after his father was declared ineligible and convicted of attempted coup d’état.
He has a long political career behind him despite being only 45 years old. He made his debut with official positions at just 21 years old, being elected state deputy for the State of Rio de Janeiro, a role he held for four consecutive terms (from 2003 to 2019).
His presidential campaign focused on the promise of amnesty for his father, a tough line against crime and a strong alignment with Donald Trump. Bolsonaro has in fact already announced that in the event of victory, Brazil will become part of the “Shield of the Americas” promoted by the American president which Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Paraguay have already joined. Born on paper to better fight drug trafficking and organized crime, according to many critics, this alliance would also have great military value. But above all, at stake is the control of rare earths, of which Brazil is very rich.
Politics family affair
Flavio Bolsonaro therefore cannot celebrate yet, but four other members of former president Jair’s family clan won in the legislative elections: his wife Michelle, his sons Carlos and Jair Renan and his brother Renato.
Michelle Bolsonaro, wife of the former president, secured her seat in the Senate representing the Federal District of Brasilia with 29% of the vote. Also elected to the Senate was Jair’s son, Carlos Bolsonaro, who won with 25% of the votes in the state of Santa Catarina, one of the great bastions of Bolsonarism. Also elected was Renato Bolsonaro, brother of the former president, who obtained a seat as a deputy for São Paulo, while Jair Renan, younger son of the former president and municipal councilor in Balneário Camboriú since 2024, will represent Santa Catarina in the Chamber.