WorldOctober 5, 2026

Brazil’s Election Moves to a Runoff: Lula vs. Flávio Bolsonaro

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Key Vocabulary

runoff/ˈrʌn.ɒf/

a second election between the top candidates

"The election goes to a runoff on October 25."

incumbent/ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/

the person who holds an office now

"Lula is the incumbent president."

electoral/ɪˈlek.tɔːr.əl/

related to voting or elections

"The electoral court posts official results."

Listening

Brazil’s Election Moves to a Runoff: Lula vs. Flávio Bolsonaro

Brazil voted on October 4, 2026. No candidate won more than 50% of the valid votes. The top two finishers were President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula is the current president and he is running for re-election. Flávio Bolsonaro is the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and he is a senator.

They will go to a runoff on October 25, 2026. Brazil’s electoral court, the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE), posts official results and totalizes votes. The vote was close in many places. A runoff is a second vote between the two top candidates. The winner of the runoff will become president.

108 words

Quiz

1. When did Brazil vote?

2. Who were the top two finishers?

3. When will they go to a runoff?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you follow elections in other countries? Why or why not?

Have you ever voted in a local or national election? What was that like?

What do you think matters most when people choose a president?