Brazil

Brazil votes for president on October 25, 2026. Two candidates are left in the race. Here is where each one stands on liberty, from their own words and actions.

Lula or Bolsonaro: who should win, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss

Flávio Bolsonaro
Senator for Rio de Janeiro, running for president · Liberal Party
C+
Liberty Score C+
77 out of 100 across 9 measures, from what Bolsonaro has said and done.
Came first in the first round on 4 October 2026 with 47.03% of the valid votes (56,104,503 votes) in the election court's final count.
Every line on Bolsonaro, with its source
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President since 2023, running for a fourth term · Workers' Party
F
Liberty Score F
45 out of 100 across 10 measures, from what Lula has said and done.
Came second in the first round on 4 October 2026 with 45.16% of the valid votes (53,879,538 votes) in the election court's final count.
Every line on Lula, with its source

Higher on Liberty Score: Flávio Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro: C+, 77 out of 100. Lula: F, 45 out of 100. Both from words and actions.

Every letter on this page is an outline. It is a grade from what a politician has said and done, with a source for every line, on the same scale as the rest of the site.

Read the lines before you compare two letters. Someone who has governed has a long record, and more of it cuts both ways. Someone who has not is graded on what they say they will do, and a promise is easier than a decision.

Ten other candidates were eliminated in the first round on 4 October 2026 and are not graded here: Augusto Cury (Avante, 2.89%), Renan Santos (Missão, 2.24%), Ronaldo Caiado (PSD, 2.18%), Romeu Zema (Novo, 0.27%) and six more who each got 0.1% or less.

Side by side

One line for each thing we measure. With liberty every time is an A. Against every time is an F. A record that goes both ways scores 50 out of 100, which is also an F, so the word under each name says which it is. A question mark means the record does not settle it. Tap a name to read the sources.

Ends the Islamic RepublicPressure on the regime in Tehran: sanctions, the Revolutionary Guard listed as terrorists, no deal that lets it survive.

ABolsonarowith FLulaagainst

Stands with the Iranian peopleBacks the people of Iran against their rulers: the protesters, the prisoners, the opposition.

ABolsonarowith FLulaboth ways

Stands with IsraelTreats Israel as an ally, backs its right to defend itself, and opposes boycotts and arms embargoes.

ABolsonarowith FLulaagainst

Stands with the free worldBacks Ukraine against Putin and Taiwan against Beijing, and keeps the alliance with the United States.

FBolsonaroboth ways FLulaboth ways

A strong militaryFunds and equips the armed forces of the country.

ABolsonarowith ALulawith

Stops mass migrationSecures the border, enforces the law, and deports those who break it.

ALulawith

Keeps religion out of lawNo religious law in government, and the same freedom for believers and non-believers.

FBolsonaroagainst FLulaboth ways

Free marketsLower taxes, less regulation, no price controls, and no to socialism.

ABolsonarowith FLulaboth ways

Free speechAgainst censorship, by government or at its request.

FBolsonaroboth ways FLulaagainst

Against the woke leftAgainst race and gender ideology in schools, sports, the armed forces and the state.

ABolsonarowith FLulaboth ways

What Brazil votes on next

Oct 252026
President, second round
Who is president of Brazil for the four years that begin in January 2027.
Voters across the country choose between the two candidates who got the most votes in the first round on 4 October 2026, because nobody won more than half of the valid votes that day. The one with more valid votes on 25 October wins and takes office in January 2027.
Source: Agência Brasil, Quando será o segundo turno das eleições? Veja a data Source: Agência Brasil, Quando será o segundo turno das eleições? Veja a data
Oct 252026
Governors, second round in six states and the Federal District
In Rio de Janeiro the second round may not be held: the third-placed candidate dropped his appeal on 5 October 2026, and if the election court voids his votes the leader passes 50% of the valid votes.
The governors of Acre, Amazonas, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte and Tocantins, and of the Federal District.
Where no candidate for governor won more than half of the valid votes on 4 October 2026, voters in that state choose between the top two on the same day as the presidential second round. The other 20 states elected their governors in the first round.
Source: Agência Brasil, Seis estados e o DF terão segundo turno para governador Source: Agência Brasil, Seis estados e o DF terão segundo turno para governador

Who is on this page: The two candidates who go to the second round on 25 October 2026, by the election court's final count of the first round held on 4 October 2026: Flávio Bolsonaro 47.03% and Lula 45.16% of the valid votes. CartaCapital, TSE encerra apuração do 1º turno. Agência Brasil, Quando será o segundo turno das eleições? Veja a data. Read on October 6, 2026. See something that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.

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