Right-wing landslide reelects Tarcísio de Freitas in São Paulo, further sidelines Lula's heir
Tarcísio de Freitas secured a first-round win in São Paulo, while Fernando Haddad suffered another defeat, leaving Lula’s touted successor without a major victory.
In a sweeping victory, former Bolsonaro minister Tarcísio de Freitas was re-elected governor of São Paulo, Brazil’s largest and wealthiest state, winning outright in the first round. His PT opponent Fernando Haddad, whom President Lula has repeatedly mentioned as a possible successor, finished well behind, delivering Haddad’s fourth consecutive defeat in the state. The right also secured both Senate seats, with former security secretary Guilherme Derrite of the PP and André do Prado of the PL emerging victorious, while the two Lula-aligned candidates, Marina Silva of Rede and Simone Tebet of the PSB, failed to win.
São Paulo has never been a stronghold for the PT, which has only managed to place mayors in the capital on three occasions in its 46-year history. The election highlights the enduring dominance of the centre-right in the state and raises questions about the left’s ability to present a viable successor to Lula, who is seeking a fourth term at age 80.
Why it matters
The result reshapes Brazil’s political landscape by strengthening the right in the country’s key state and weakening the left’s succession plan for President Lula.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Lula runs ultra-cautious campaign as poll gap with Bolsonaro narrows
- Sep 13 A new poll released in early September records Bolsonaro at 46% and Lula at 45% in a hypothetical runoff.
- Sep 25 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed an order banning online betting in Brazil, a move that takes effect immediately but needs congressional approval within 120 days.
- Sep 28 The ban is now subject to a 120‑day congressional review.
- Oct 2 Presidential debate scheduled for Oct 1 was cancelled after the electoral court barred Lula’s participation and Bolsonaro withdrew.
- Oct 4 Both candidates held final campaign rallies, with Lula ending his bid in São Paulo and Flávio Bolsonaro leading a motorcycle convoy in São Paulo state.
- Oct 4 Alcohol dependence in Portugal has almost quadrupled over the past ten years, with only a fifth of sufferers receiving treatment, and Brazil prepares for a closely fought presidential vote.
- Oct 4 First round of Brazil’s presidential election was held.
- Oct 4 First round of voting produced no candidate with over 50%, making a runoff likely.
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