Bolsonaro leads early results in Brazil’s tight presidential race

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro took an early lead as Brazil began announcing results on Sunday afternoon in the first round of a closely contested presidential election, following a campaign dominated by corruption scandals, economic concerns, and accusations of US interference.

Among the 13 candidates, the main contenders are leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 80, seeking a fourth term, and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who hopes to return his father’s right-wing movement to power.

With about 11 percent of votes counted, Flavio led Lula with 51.09 percent to Lula’s 40.67 percent.

Initial results showed that southern states, which tend to support Bolsonaro, reported their results more quickly, while vote counting in Lula’s stronghold in the northeast typically occurs later.

If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of valid votes, the top two will face off in a runoff on October 25. Polls indicate a close race between Lula and Flavio, making a second round likely.

A victory for the senator would extend a wave of right-wing wins across Latin America by candidates aligned with US president Donald Trump, while Lula’s election could unsettle Washington, which has clashed with his government over trade and security.