---
title: "Bolsonaro Leads in Presidential Election After First-Round Vote Victory"
url: https://newscentral.site/bolsonaro-leads-in-presidential-election-after-first-round-vote/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "World"
published: 2026-10-07T22:01:02.000Z
updated: 2026-10-08T02:27:22.596Z
id: bd8f126b-5b55-4830-aa4c-69cdfad49507
source: "France 24 English https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261007-thousands-protest-flavio-bolsonaro-far-right-brazil"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/bolsonaro-leads-in-presidential-election-after-first-round-vote/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Bolsonaro Leads in Presidential Election After First-Round Vote Victory

Thousands of people took to the streets of downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to express their opposition to Flavio Bolsonaro's rise to prominence in Brazil's presidential election. The student-led march was a response to Bolsonaro's victory in Sunday's first-round vote, which has sent shockwaves through the country.

Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, is now the leading candidate for the presidency. His father's legacy continues to influence his campaign, with many Brazilians concerned about the prospect of a return to power by the far right. The left in Brazil is scrambling to regain momentum ahead of the October 25 runoff election.

The student protesters in Rio de Janeiro were determined to make their voices heard, marching through the city with drums, fireworks, and passionate chants calling for votes for leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Their message was clear: they do not want Flavio Bolsonaro to become president.

Among those protesting was Alice Carneiro, a 25-year-old administrator who works in maritime shipping. She was visibly emotional as she expressed her fears about the potential consequences of a Bolsonaro presidency for her wife, who is transgender. "I'm here because I believe in democracy," she said. "Because I'm scared.

The protesters' concerns are not unfounded, given the legacy of Jair Bolsonaro's government. His administration was criticized for its handling of the Covid pandemic, which claimed over 700,000 lives in Brazil - a number second only to that of the United States.

As the campaign for the runoff election heats up, it is clear that Flavio Bolsonaro's victory has sparked widespread concern among Brazilians who fear a return to power by the far right. The students' protest in Rio de Janeiro was just one expression of this growing anxiety.

The protest march in Rio de Janeiro was a vibrant expression of concern among Brazilians about the potential return to power of far-right politics.

Carneiro, a young protester, shared her personal experience of living through the pandemic and the impact of vaccine denial on her family's lives.

In contrast to Lula's campaign rally at the same spot just days earlier, this march was significantly larger and more energetic, reflecting the growing anxiety among Brazilians about the election outcome.

Flavio Bolsonaro has promised drastic budget cuts, using a pair of scissors as a symbol of his commitment to libertarian economic reforms inspired by Argentine President Javier Milei.

The prospect of these cuts is particularly worrying given Brazil's already-strained public finances, which are being exacerbated by high interest rates and soaring debt.

The protests against Flavio Bolsonaro's plans have intensified, with demonstrators expressing concern over his proposal to grant amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after the 2022 election loss.

Some protesters carried placards that read Granting amnesty for coups gives the green light for new coups, highlighting their fears about the consequences of such an action. The opposition to Flavio Bolsonaro's plans is part of a broader concern about the potential for far-right politics to gain further traction in Brazil.

As both Flavio Bolsonaro and his rival, Lula, gear up for the runoff, they are making significant changes to their campaigns. In an effort to build coalitions and appeal to a wider audience, Flavio Bolsonaro has doubled down on his plans to shrink the state and modernize the tax system.

Lula, who is seeking a fourth term in office at 81 years old, has hit reset with a major focus on social media, posting a video selfie for the first time this week. In the video, he urged his supporters to come on, folks, let's hit the streets; let's go talk to people".

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Source: [France 24 English](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261007-thousands-protest-flavio-bolsonaro-far-right-brazil)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/bolsonaro-leads-in-presidential-election-after-first-round-vote/