Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro rallied their supporters on the final day before the crucial presidential runoff scheduled for October 26, 2026. The two candidates have been nearly tied in polls since the first round, with Bolsonaro’s stronger-than-expected showing giving him a slight edge in recent surveys. Lula, aiming for a fourth non-consecutive term, energized his base with marches in Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach and São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue, highlighting a message of progress and unity.

Lula’s campaign events had a poignant tone as the 80-year-old president, a former union leader, is widely anticipated to be making his last bid for office. Supporters expressed admiration for his long political journey and achievements. Demonstrators at the rallies expressed hope and pride, emphasizing Lula’s lasting influence in Brazilian politics and the significance of this election for the country’s future.

On the other side, Bolsonaro engaged voters with events in key battleground regions, including a motorcycle caravan in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, a pivotal state historically important for presidential winners. Bolsonaro led in Minas Gerais in the first round and also campaigned in his home state of Rio de Janeiro, stressing the weight of the upcoming decision on Brazil’s direction over the next several decades. As the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, he carries forward the family’s political legacy despite his father’s imprisonment for attempting a coup.

The final campaign day followed a contentious last debate held on October 23 on TV Globo, Brazil’s main free-to-air TV network, where the candidates clashed over economic issues and traded personal accusations. With the vote imminent, both Lula and Bolsonaro made passionate appeals to undecided voters, underscoring the high stakes and intensity surrounding one of Brazil’s most closely contested elections in recent years.