Early returns from Brazil's presidential election show pro-Israel right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro finishing first with 47.3% of the vote, ahead of incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's 44.8%, according to The Zioneer. With no candidate securing the 50% threshold, the race will proceed to a runoff on October 25.
Early returns from Brazil's first-round presidential election show pro-Israel right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro finishing first with 47.3% of the vote against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's 44.8%, according to the latest tallies from Brazil's Superior Electoral Court reported by Israeli media. With over 99% of votes counted, neither candidate secured the 50% majority required for an outright victory, triggering a runoff set for October 25.
The Zioneer reported Sunday evening at 23:12 that polls closed with no candidate projected to win outright. As counting progressed, early results showed Bolsonaro briefly topping the 50% threshold. At 01:00 Jerusalem time, with 47% of ballots counted, Bolsonaro had 50.2%. His lead then declined: by 01:28 he held 49.58% with 64% counted, and by 01:52 he had 48.5% with 85% counted. At 02:17, Israeli media confirmed the race was heading to a runoff. By 03:08, with 97% tallied, Bolsonaro led 47.45% to 44.66%. The final stretch of counting confirmed the runoff scenario.
Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has pledged to restore full diplomatic relations with Israel and relocate the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem, as The Zioneer reported on June 29. This contrasts with the Lula administration's deepening rift with Israel. The runoff on October 25 will determine whether Brazil returns to a pro-Israel stance or continues its current path. Bolsonaro's stronger-than-expected performance was attributed in part to gains in left-leaning regions where he outperformed his father's 2022 results.
Both campaigns are expected to intensify efforts ahead of the second round. Although final official results are pending, the overall picture of a runoff contest appears settled.
8 developments
- StrongNetanyahu congratulates Flavio Bolsonaro on first-round victory, voices hope for Israel-Brazil ties
- DevelopingNew Brazil poll shows Flavio Bolsonaro closing gap to tie with Lula ahead of October election
- StrongMassive pro-Bolsonaro crowds take to streets on Brazil election day
- StrongBrazil's Lula says he expects Trump not to interfere in Brazil's presidential election
Source and signal
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