Brazil's Left Stunned as Right Surges in First Round

Brazil's left-wing parties are facing a tough reality after the first round of elections. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the left's leading figure, reached the 45 percent predicted by polls. But the right exceeded expectations. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, gathered 47 percent of the vote behind him. This unexpected surge puts the left's hold on power at risk. The right's growth goes beyond the presidential race. Bolsonaro's movement flipped 714 municipalities that Lula won in 2022. The right also secured a majority in Congress. Now, the left heads into a second round. Its main task: to reclaim the banner of "change" and win back voters. The runoff will decide whether the left can recover — or whether the right's momentum carries it to power.