Brazil heads to run-off as Bolsonaro pulls off shock first place finish over Lul...

In a surprising turn of events, Flavio Bolsonaro, the 80-year-old son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, secured a first-place finish in Brazil's recent election with 47 percent of the vote. This resulted in a runoff election scheduled for October 25, as neither candidate achieved a majority. The election saw a steady rightward shift in Latin American politics, much like the trend championed by US President Donald Trump.

Flavio, who previously served as a senator, capitalized on his father's name recognition and conservative base to win the election against incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who received 45 percent of the vote. The Bolsonaro family has experienced a comeback following Jair Bolsonaro's loss in the 2022 re-election bid. Flavio, despite being a little-known senator, highlighted the potential to appoint four justices to Brazil's Supreme Court, the body which convicted his father and has been involved in significant political and criminal scandals.