October 06, 2026

Bolsonaro wins endorsements from right-wing rivals for Brazil election runoff

Two right-wing politicians who ran against him in Sunday's first-round vote endorse him for the runoff against Lula

Bolsonaro wins endorsements from right-wing rivals for Brazil election runoff
Brazil's presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) reacts after the country's electoral authority said he will face President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the runoff of a presidential election, in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct 4, 2026. REUTERS/Diego Herculano

Reuters

Published : 06 Oct 2026, 10:25 AM

Updated : 06 Oct 2026, 10:45 AM

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro received on Monday endorsements from Ronaldo Caiado and Romeu Zema, two right-wing politicians who ran against him in Sunday's first-round vote, for the runoff against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later this month.

Caiado, a former governor of Goias state, won 2.18 percent of valid votes -- which exclude blank and null ballots -- on Sunday, while Zema, an ex-governor of Minas Gerais state, got 0.27 percent.

Caiado, from the PSD party, will meet with Bolsonaro on Tuesday to announce the endorsement, a statement from his press team said.

Zema, from the NOVO party, unveiled his endorsement on a post on his social media.

Among other candidates, author-psychiatrist Augusto Cury and Renan Santos, who received 2.89 percent and 2.24 percent of the vote, respectively, said they would not endorse Bolsonaro or Lula.

Bolsonaro exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over Lula; the runoff is set for Oct 25.

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