Lula, Bolsonaro to enter runoff election October 25

Brazil's presidential election will see incumbent President

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Liberal Party's Flavio Bolsonaro

head to a runoff on October 25 after no candidate was able to secure

a majority of valid votes in the first round

of ballot from Sunday's vote.

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With 99% of ballots in Sunday's presidential election counted, Brazilian

court announces a runoff election as neither of the two top contenders,

incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Worker's Party,

or the Liberal Party's Flavio Bolsonaro managed to secure a majority vote

to take the presidency.

President Lula, vying for a fourth non-consecutive term, comes second to Bolsanaro,

son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with 45% of votes from 53.7 million Brazilians.

Bolsanaro, who had a two-percent lead with 47%, or 56 million, valid votes,

will head will face the current president in the polls again October 25.

Addressing the press and supporters outside his home following the count,

Bolsonaro, often touted as an ally of US President Donald Trump,

says Brazil wants change and says the results signal

"the end of the Workers' Party era," referencing his rival Lula's party.

Lula meanwhile, tells supporters he thought he was going to secure the majority

vote out right, and he will now work to appeal to the 28 million Brazilians who did not

cast their ballots.

"Voting is necessary for us to define the future of this country," he says.

Lula is expected to capitalise on the popularity of his social polices while digging deeper

into Bolsonaro's legal woes concerning corruption, money laundering and tax evasion.

With the two candidates' respective ties to the international community,

a win for Bolsonaro would increase US influence in Latin America

whereas a continuation of Lula's presidency would likely see relations with

China deepen further.

The next presidential term is set to begin January 5, 2027 and the winner

will be in charge of Latin America's largest economy and a population of 214

million.