The Rachman Review

What would a Bolsonaro victory in Brazil mean for the world?

08 okt 2026 · 00:29:22

Flávio Bolsonaro took a clear lead in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election, and is the favourite to assume power after a run-off against the incumbent, Lula Ignacio da Silva, later this month. Will Flávio, who is the son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, follow his father’s playbook, by cosying up to Trump and slashing environmental regulations – or will he follow a more moderate path? Gideon speaks to Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil and fellow with the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, to find out how a Bolsonaro victory would change Brazil. They discuss Brazil’s relations with the US, China, and its Latin American neighbours: and they examine why whoever wins the Brazilian election is unlikely to have a long honeymoon period. Clips: APT


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Further reading:

Brazil’s Bolsonaro dynasty closes in on stunning comeback

Brazil’s Bolsonaro comeback exposes Lula’s weakness

Brazil’s markets surge as investors bet on Flávio Bolsonaro election win


Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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