A GUIDE TO
On October 4, nearly 160 million Brazilians will be eligible to vote for their president, governors, and national and state legislators. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a fourth term and, though polls show he’s ahead, the race is far from decided. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, is challenging Lula and his Workers Party in a polarized political climate. Issues such as corruption, security, and Brazilians’ recently higher levels of personal debt are influencing voters, as are Supreme Court tensions and U.S. ties.
Campaigns officially kick off on August 16. If no victors are declared on election day, presidential and gubernatorial runoffs take place October 25.
AS/COA Online covers Brazil’s vote through explainers, poll trackers, podcasts, and more.
>> Find out about other elections in our 2026 Election Guide
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A presidential match-up between President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro will anchor Latin America’s largest electoral process of the year.
Lula is seeking a fourth term as Flávio Bolsonaro attempts to avenge his ex-president father. The first round is October 4.
The Igarapé Institute’s Robert Muggah discusses the evolution of criminal activity, as well as evidence-based solutions to violence.
The family is in danger of losing the October election, and possibly more than that, writes AQ’s editor-in-chief.
A veteran political analyst discusses voter trends and the issues that will shape the Lula-Flávio showdown.
To succeed in October's election, the son of Brazil's last president will have to convince those outside the conservative movement.
Brazil’s October election now looks like a coin-flip, writes AQ’s editor-in-chief.
AQ tracks key indicators and political and economic trends to watch in 2026.
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Peru plan to elect presidents in 2026. Learn about candidates and issues in each country.
Political analyst Thomas Traumann examines gains by the opposition, as well as Lula's scenario for 2026 amid deep political divides.