Bolsonaro Takes Shock 1st Place in Brazil Presidential Election, Headed to Runoff Against Lula

Right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) took a surprising first place in the first round of Brazil's presidential election held on the 4th (local time).

With 98.62% of the votes counted, Bolsonaro secured first place and advanced to the runoff with 47.27% of the vote, beating President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers' Party (PT), who lagged behind at 44.88%.

However, having failed to secure a majority (over 50% of the vote), he will face President Lula in a rematch during the runoff election scheduled for the 25th.

Under Brazilian election law, if no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the top two candidates must compete in a runoff.

Prior to the election, various polls had predicted that Lula would take first place.

Bolsonaro garnered support primarily in urban areas, while President Lula drew backing in rural and fishing regions.

Bolsonaro pulled ahead of Lula in the southeastern region, a traditional stronghold of the Liberal Party, as well as across most of the central and northwestern regions.
 
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.