Far right on the march and Lula’s failures: key drivers of Flávio Bolsonaro’s Brazil surge
Flávio Bolsonaro has secured a surprise first-round lead in Brazil's presidential election against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Analysts attribute his success to the influence of the evangelical church and public dissatisfaction with the veteran leftist candidate.
Why it matters
The potential return of Bolsonarismo to power in Brazil signals a significant shift in Latin American political alignment and democratic stability.
Flavio Bolsonaro celebrates after winning the most votes in Brazil’s presidential election. He will go to a runoff against Lula on 25 October. Flavio Bolsonaro celebrates after winning the most votes in Brazil’s presidential election. He will go to a runoff against Lula on 25 October. Brazil Far right on the march and Lula’s failures: key drivers of Flávio Bolsonaro’s Brazil surge Experts say strength of evangelical church and perception that Lula is too old also helped propel Jair Bolsonaro’s son to first-round election win
Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro Mon 5 Oct 2026 14.42 EDT Last modified on Mon 5 Oct 2026 14.43 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google On Sunday night, as the scale of the far-right triumph in Brazil sank in, an adapted football chant rang out in one of Rio’s most leftwing areas.
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