The Newshound

Right-wing rivals back Flávio Bolsonaro for runoff as the Bolsonaro family dynasty sweeps Brazil's Congress

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose 45% first-round share left him trailing Flávio Bolsonaro heading into Brazil's October 25 runoff, confounding pollsters who had expected a closer contest.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose 45% first-round share left him trailing Flávio Bolsonaro heading into Brazil's October 25 runoff, confounding pollsters who had expected a closer contest.
Flávio Bolsonaro, whose first-round result prompted Donald Trump to hail the outcome as "amazing, actually," marking a seventh consecutive Latin American election victory for right-wing candidates he has backed.
Flávio Bolsonaro, whose first-round result prompted Donald Trump to hail the outcome as "amazing, actually," marking a seventh consecutive Latin American election victory for right-wing candidates he has backed.

Flávio Bolsonaro is heading into Brazil's October 25 presidential runoff as firm favourite after securing 47% of the first-round vote against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's 45%, a result that confounded pollsters and left the left reeling. Trump hailed the result outside the White House, calling it "amazing, actually," and right-wing candidates he has backed have now won seven consecutive Latin American elections since his return to the presidency.

Jair Bolsonaro's wife Michelle, two sons and a brother all won seats in Sunday's congressional vote, cementing the family's grip on Brazilian politics.

Jair Bolsonaro himself, 71, remains under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election — yet his clan's dominance has only deepened.

MoreThe GuardianKeeping up with the Bolsonaros: Flávio’s surprise first-round election win heralds rise of a political dynastyFinancial TimesBrazil’s rightwing surge boosts Flávio Bolsonaro’s push to free his fatherReutersBrazil ex-President Bolsonaro wins big without his name on the ballotIrish IndependentWhat will it mean for Brazilians if Bolsonaro Jr wins back presidency for populist right?
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