DOMINANT ANGLE
Quito sees the first round of the Brazilian election as a test of the regional conservative wave, while also projecting its own divide with the support of figures from the Revolución Ciudadana for Lula.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
With 98.57% of ballots counted, Flávio Bolsonaro has 47.25% and Lula 44.90%, according to Primicias citing the TSE; runoff on October 25.
- 02
The TSE reports that 421 electronic ballots were replaced, about 0.07% of the total, in a day described as peaceful (Expreso).
- 03
Rafael Correa and figures from the Revolución Ciudadana, including Paola Pabón, prefect of Pichincha, have publicly backed Lula (Expreso).
ANALYSIS
Quito, October 5, 2026. Ecuadorian media are following the Brazilian election as an issue that goes beyond borders. Primicias writes that the election will "decide whether Brazil remains on the left or joins the conservative wave that is currently dominant in the region".
On Sunday, October 4, more than 158 to 160 million voters were called to the polls, according to the headlines. Expreso reports a "incident-free" day: according to the Superior Electoral Tribunal, only 421 electronic urns had to be replaced, or about 0.07% of the total. The director of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, speaks of a peaceful vote.
On the results, Primicias reports, with 98.57% of the urns counted, 47.25% for Flávio Bolsonaro and 44.90% for Lula. El Comercio, at 96.60%, indicates 47.45% against 44.66%. The second round is set for October 25, as none of the twelve candidates exceeded half of the valid votes. Primicias recalls that Lula, 80, is doing worse than in the first round of 2022, where he had obtained 48.4% and 57.2 million votes. El Universo specifies that at the beginning of the count, with 27% of the urns, Bolsonaro exceeded 50%, before the gap narrowed.
The tone of the two candidates is conveyed through quotes. Lula, at the vote: Brazilians are choosing between "democracy and barbarism". Flávio Bolsonaro promises to "free the Brazilian people" and denounces "so many high taxes, so much political persecution". Primicias notes that the 45-year-old senator has built his campaign on insecurity and reducing dependence on social aid, and says he is "more moderate" than his father. After the result, El Universo quotes Lula calling the score "unexpected" and saying he is confident for October 25: he was "convinced" of winning from the first round.
The coverage also has a national aspect. Expreso reports that Rafael Correa, elected officials, and the prefect of Pichincha, Paola Pabón, have publicly supported Lula. Pabón wishes for "a strong, democratic Brazil committed to the prosperity of all". The support of the Revolución Ciudadana thus places the Brazilian race in the Ecuadorian political debate.
The markets, Milei's reaction, or Jair Bolsonaro's judicial situation do not appear in the articles of the pool: the focus remains on the electoral calendar, the TSE's figures, and the ideological confrontation.
SOURCES (4)
- ExpresoMEDIUM
- El UniversoMEDIUM
- PrimiciasMEDIUM
- El Comercio ECMEDIUM
