Flávio Bolsonaro, who finished first in Brazil’s first round, said the country “wants change” and promised “fewer ministries” as he prepares to face President Lula da Silva in the October 25 runoff.

Far-right presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro celebrated his first-place finish in Brazil’s first round on Sunday, affirming that the country “wants change” and promising a leaner government ahead of the October 25 runoff against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

With more than 99% of polling stations counted by the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) obtained 47.07% of valid votes, against 45.11% for Lula of the Workers’ Party (PT).

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“Brazil wants change. That is the reading. I am very happy with the results in all regions,” said the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) in remarks to the press. In a provocative tone, he said the result had “decreed the end of the Workers’ Party (PT) era.”

He accused the governing party of setting a series of negative “records“: women murdered, indebted Brazilians, high taxes, hopelessness and closed businesses, but he cited no source, figure or comparison for any of these claims.

Promises for the Runoff

The Liberal Party senator turned his attention immediately to the runoff. “There are real possibilities that in three weeks Brazil will respond and show that it wants a modern government, with fewer ministries, a government that respects democracy,” he declared.

Bolsonaro also promised to appoint “at least four ministers” to the Supreme Federal Court who “will not try to interfere in the elections.” That eleven-member court sentenced his father to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a coup plot to overturn his 2022 defeat.

The conservative candidate said he is “the only one” committed to “ending reelection” and that he needs “a single term.” The claim drew scrutiny because his father sought reelection four years ago, and the family’s political project has dominated Brazilian conservatism for nearly a decade.

Flávio Bolsonaro proposes an economic model inspired by the neoliberal policies of Argentinean President Javier Milei. At the start of the campaign, he promised to cut public spending from day one, eliminate taxes to attract U.S. data centers and apply a “tough on crime” security policy inspired by Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele.

Congress and Controversy

Bolsonaro also promised “a clean campaign,” in a political climate marked by the Master Bank scandal. Bolsonaro admitted in May that he had asked banker Daniel Vorcaro, now jailed over an alleged fraud, for large transfers to fund the film “Dark Horse.” According to case documents, Vorcaro contributed about $12 million. The senator maintains that everything was “totally legal.”

In the National Congress, the count so far shows a clear advance for the far right, with Bolsonaro’s party winning the majority of lawmakers in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The runoff on October 25 will pit two projects against each other. Lula’s Workers’ Party now faces the challenge of reversing a two-point deficit while Bolsonaro campaigns as the candidate of rupture, with a promise of fewer ministries and a modern government anchored in economic orthodoxy.

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