Bolsonaro’s first-round win draws cheers from right-wing leaders

Flávio Bolsonaro’s surprise win over incumbent Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election led to a flurry of reactions from foreign leaders ahead of the runoff that will decide the election.

In a speech he gave before his supporters on Sunday night, the center-left wing president admitted Bolsonaro’s win — by a margin of 47.3% to 44.83% (with 98.36% of the vote counted) — was “an unexpected result.”

“We did not achieve everything we wanted, but even so I was convinced that we were going to win,” Lula confessed, vowing to restart his campaign immediately to win the decisive round on October 25. 

Describing his right-wing rival as someone with “a dark biography, with murky ties,” the three-time president and leader of the Worker’s Party said the runoff would be decisive in determining the political picture in Brazil. 

He also promised to strengthen the local industry and pursue social well-being through education and universities.

Flávio Bolsonaro, meanwhile, celebrated outside his home in Brasilia. Speaking to reporters and supporters in the Brazilian capital, the senator, son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro (2018-2022), said he was “very happy with the result.” 

“Brazil wants a change; that is the reading of what happened today,” added the Liberal Party candidate.

Milei celebrates  Among the first international leaders to react was Argentine President Javier Milei, who has openly backed Bolsonaro.

Milei congratulated the Brazilian senator on what he called a “historic election” against Lula, whom he described as a communist. “Freedom is advancing in Brazil. The American continent belongs to citizens who want to live in freedom,” Milei wrote on X.

LA LIBERTAD AVANZA EN BRASIL

Felicitaciones querido amigo @FlavioBolsonaro, por esta histórica elección ante el comunista de Lula.

El continente americano es de ciudadanos que quieren vivir en libertad.

Espero que pronto podamos empezar a trabajar juntos para que la Argentina… pic.twitter.com/JvnpGg7uiu

— Javier Milei (@JMilei) October 5, 2026 The Argentine president also expressed his desire to strengthen ties with Brazil if Bolsonaro wins the runoff. “I hope that soon we can begin working together so that Argentina and Brazil remain great commercial, cultural and political partners. The opportunities for our nations, working together, are infinite,” he said.

Milei ended his message with his trademark phrase “Long live freedom, damn it,” and posted a photograph of himself with Bolsonaro.

Other Argentine political figures also reacted. Senator Patricia Bullrich said Argentina and Brazil had a “historic opportunity” for greater trade, investment and employment. Chamber of Deputies President Martín Menem said it was encouraging to see “the ideas of freedom” gaining support in the region.

Others in Argentina expressed their support for President Lula. Peronist leader Juan Grabois, from Patria Grande, wrote on X: “Come on Lula! Win or lose, we are always with you and with the homeland we share.” 

Socialist lawmaker Esteban Paulón also supported Lula ahead of the runoff: “Another campaign, another election starts tomorrow! Let’s go, Lula — bring on these three intense weeks, and let’s win!” he tweeted.

Reactions across the region and beyond Although United States’ President Donald Trump — who supported Flávio Bolsonaro — had said before the election that he was following the Brazilian vote “very closely,” Washington has not yet commented on his first-round triumph.

Meanwhile, other center and right-wing politicians in the Americas congratulated the Liberal Party candidate.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado described the vote as an “exemplary democratic day.” Writing on X she said Latin Americans wanted “freedom, democracy, prosperity and justice” and argued that Brazil would play a decisive role in the future of the region.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella also backed Bolsonaro. “My heart is with Brazil,” he posted, adding that “true change is defeating the left.” He also sent Bolsonaro a “big hug” and called him a friend.

Outside of Latin America, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the result. “Congratulations, Flávio Bolsonaro, on yesterday’s vote and good luck in the final,” Netanyahu wrote on X. 

“I look forward to restoring the extraordinary friendship between Israel and Brazil,” he added.

Brazil’s two leading candidates now have three weeks to campaign again before the October 25 runoff, with the first-round result having transformed an expectedly tight contest into a new electoral battle.