Brazil votes in decisive election pitting Lula against Flávio Bolsonaro

Brazilians went to the polls on Sunday in the first round of a highly polarised presidential election that could shape the political direction of Latin America's largest country, with implications for the wider region.

The contest pits leftwing incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, against far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Flávio Bolsonaro is an ally of US President Donald Trump and the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence following his conviction for attempting a coup after his failed 2022 re-election bid.

High stakes for Brazil and the region

Analysts described the vote as one of the most consequential in Brazil's recent history, given the sharply contrasting platforms offered by the two leading candidates and the broader geopolitical stakes involved. A Lula victory would extend the leftist leader's long political career, while a win for Flávio Bolsonaro would represent a significant victory for the far-right movement associated with his father.

The election has unfolded against a backdrop of deep political polarisation in Brazil, a divide that intensified sharply following the 2022 presidential election and the attempted coup linked to Jair Bolsonaro's refusal to accept defeat. The former president's imprisonment has remained a central and divisive issue in Brazilian politics since his conviction.

Observers within Brazil and internationally are watching the first-round results closely, as the outcome could determine whether the race proceeds directly or moves to a runoff, with wider repercussions for alliances and political trends across Latin America.

Voting across Brazil's vast territory was reported to be proceeding through the day, with full first-round results expected once polls close.