Brazil heads to a runoff election after Bolsonaro and Lula fail to garner a majority of votes
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, and Brazil’s incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face off in a runoff Oct. 25 for the top job of Latin America’s powerhouse economy after neither won a majority in Sunday’s vote.
TL;DR
- Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face a runoff election on October 25.
- Neither candidate won a majority in the initial vote.
- The winner will lead Latin America's largest economy.
- Bolsonaro's win could increase U.S. influence; Lula's win could deepen ties with China.
- Both candidates have image problems and will need to appeal to moderate voters.
- Brazil's electoral court reported Bolsonaro with more votes than Lula, but neither reached the majority threshold.
- The integrity of Brazil's electronic voting system is widely trusted.