Flávio Bolsonaro leads Lula; Brazil heads to runoff

BRASILIA — Flávio Bolsonaro finished first in the opening round of Brazil’s presidential election with about 47% of the vote, ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with roughly 45%.

As neither candidate secured an absolute majority, they will face each other in a runoff on October 25.

The result was unexpected because several pre-election polls had projected a lead for Lula. Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, is campaigning on a conservative platform and has said he wants to seek amnesty for his father, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence related to an attempted coup.

Lula, 80, is focusing his campaign on social programs, support for lower-income families and protection of the Amazon.

Votes from candidates eliminated in the first round could now become important in the final contest between Bolsonaro and Lula.