Students in Rio Protest Potential Bolsonaro Return in Presidential Runoff
Brazilian students protest Flávio Bolsonaro's potential presidency, citing threats to democracy and sovereignty ahead of October 25 runoff.
POLICY WIRE — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Thousands of Brazilian students gathered in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, to demonstrate against the possibility of Flávio Bolsonaro becoming president, following his strong performance in the first round of the country’s presidential election.
The protest, held ahead of the October 25 runoff between Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, saw a large group of demonstrators wearing red and carrying signs that emphasized Brazil’s democratic values and national sovereignty. Many carried messages criticizing the far-right movement and its growing influence.
Participants included students from local universities, who expressed concerns about Bolsonaro’s policies and his father’s controversial legacy. Among them was Talita Amaral, a 19-year-old environmental science student, who said the protest was not about supporting Lula but about defending Brazil’s future. She wore a yellow and green soccer jersey, a symbol often associated with Bolsonaro supporters, as a way to reclaim the national colors.
Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup. He received more votes than Lula in the first round, securing a place in the runoff. However, neither candidate reached the 50% threshold required for an outright victory. Bolsonaro also benefits from the support of third- through fifth-place candidates, all of whom are right-leaning, collectively receiving 6 million votes.
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Protesters referenced several controversies linked to the Bolsonaro family, including the failed Banco Master scandal and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to over 700,000 deaths in Brazil. Some signs read Brazil isn’t anyone’s backyard and I don’t vote for someone who sells Brazil.
Concerns about Bolsonaro’s alignment with U.S. policies have also fueled opposition. João Victor Vieira, a 20-year-old literature student, warned that a Bolsonaro presidency could make Brazil a colony of the United States. He cited ideological similarities between Trump and the Bolsonaro family, including past tensions between the U.S. and Brazil over trade and judicial matters.
Despite initial disappointment after the first-round results, many protesters remain hopeful that social movements can still shape the political landscape. “This protest shows that social movements are still very much alive,” Vieira said. “We will resist.”
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
