Lula Wins First Round of Brazil Elections

FEATURING MARIA LUISA MENDONÇA - Brazilians went to the polls on October 2nd in an election that was widely expected to bring clear cut victory to former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who until recently had been imprisoned on trumped-up corruption charges.

But the incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, had a better-than-expected showing. The final outcome of Lula’s 48.4% to Bolsonaro’s 43.2% means that the two will be matched up in a run-off election on October 30th.

Bolsonaro’s far right party also had a far stronger showing in the lower house of Congress than expected, increasing its seats from 76 to 99.