Flávio Bolsonaro leads into Brazil run-off
Brazil election goes to run-off as right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro wins first round
Monday, 5 October 2026
Photo by Daniel Esteves on Unsplash
Warm-up
- How do run-off elections work in your country?
- What issues matter most to you in a national vote?
- Have polls ever surprised you? What happened?
Vocabulary
- run-off
- A second round of voting when no candidate gets over 50%.
- incumbent
- The person who currently holds an official position.
- polling
- Surveys that measure voter support during a campaign.
- amnesty
- Official forgiveness for certain offences, often political ones.
- interference
- Unwanted involvement or influence by an outside person or country.
- coalition
- A group of parties or countries that join for a shared goal.
- pragmatic
- Focused on practical results rather than fixed ideas.
- vandalise
- To damage or destroy property on purpose.
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishFlávio Bolsonaro won the first round of Brazil's presidential election but fell short of the 50% needed to win outright, so a run-off with incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be held on 25 October. With 99% counted, Bolsonaro had 47.03% and Lula 45.16%, after weeks when Lula was slightly ahead in polling.
His Liberal Party also elected the most governors, senators and federal deputies, boosting its weight in Congress. The campaign has polarised the country.
Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged amnesty for his father and for supporters who vandalised government buildings on 8 January 2023. Election officials said they found no evidence of international interference.
A Bolsonaro victory could align Brazil with a US-led anti-narcotics coalition, while he says relations with China would remain economically pragmatic. Voters would often split by region and income, but the run-off remains open.
Comprehension
- Why will Brazil hold a run-off on 25 October?
- What were the near-final first-round percentages for Bolsonaro and Lula?
- Which party gained the most influence in Congress?
- What pledge did Flávio Bolsonaro make about his father and some supporters?
- What did election officials say about international interference?
Grammar focus
Used to / would
Use used to/would + base verb for past habits or repeated actions. For past states (be, have, know), only used to is correct. (Examples constructed.)
- In earlier campaigns, rallies would draw huge crowds.
- Parties used to hold huge rallies.
Grammar exercise
Complete each gap with used to or would, as appropriate.
- In earlier elections voters (split) ___ by region.
- In past run-offs parties (campaign) ___ mainly on TV.
- Polling (be) ___ tighter before the first round.
- In older contests, results (be) ___ closer nationwide.
- Years ago, supporters (argue) ___ online less often.
Discussion
- Do strong poll leads usually predict final results? Why or why not?
- Should candidates offer amnesty in political cases? Explain your view.
- How do region and income shape voting where you live?
- Is it better to align with one power or stay pragmatic with many?
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