Brazil Far-Right Candidate Leads in Deforestation Hotspots

· Climate · Brazil

In Brazil's general election on Oct. 4, incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva finished second to far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was barred from public office after being convicted of planning a coup d'état. The two candidates will now face each other in a runoff. Flavio Bolsonaro performed strongest in areas that are deforestation hotspots, according to the results. The outcome matters enormously for the Amazon, where Lula's administration has sought to curb illegal clearing after the steep increases seen under the elder Bolsonaro. A runoff victory by the far-right candidate could signal a shift back toward policies that favor agricultural expansion over forest protection, with global repercussions for climate targets and biodiversity.

Why it matters：Brazil's election outcome will directly shape Amazon deforestation rates and the country's role in global climate negotiations, affecting carbon emissions and biodiversity worldwide.

Key points

  • Lula finished second to Flávio Bolsonaro in the Oct. 4 first round.
  • The two will face each other in a runoff.
  • Flávio Bolsonaro's strongest showing was in deforestation hotspot areas.

Sources (original reporting)

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