Brazil’s Lula and Bolsonaro tied in early polls ahead of 2026 election

Wilfredor Brazil’s presidential race is closely watched as incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are tied in early polls, according to Bloomberg Markets. Both candidates have been officially approved by the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) to run in the 2026 election. The latest data from multiple Brazilian polling firms indicates a highly competitive race. Recent polls from Datafolha, Quaest, and BTG/Nexus reflect a narrow margin between the two, with Lula slightly ahead in some projections and a technical tie in others. This tight race comes as the first round of voting approaches on October 4, with a potential runoff scheduled for October 25. Key Takeaways Market pricing suggests a decrease in Lula’s chances of winning the first round outright as early polls indicate a competitive race with Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula’s current market odds stand at 71.5% YES for winning the most votes in the first round, slightly down from 72% a week ago. Flávio Bolsonaro’s market odds show an increase, with a current 28.5% YES likelihood of winning the most votes in the first round. What to Watch As the first round of the Brazilian presidential election nears, f...