The Brazilian presidential election saw Jair Bolsonaro, a controversial former army captain and member of the Social Liberal Party, achieving a decisive victory with 57 million votes, or around 55% of the total cast in the runoff against Fernando Haddad, the candidate of the Workers' Party (PT). Haddad, who succeeded former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva but struggled to connect with voters, garnered approximately 45% of the vote. Bolsonaro's platform included strong conservative stances on crime, corruption, and economic reform, which resonated with many Brazilians disillusioned by the ongoing political turmoil and corruption scandals involving previous administrations.

This election represented a significant shift in Brazilian politics. The Workers' Party, which had held the presidency since 2003 with three consecutive terms led by Lula and his successor Dilma Rousseff, faced unprecedented challenges amid Brazil's economic recession and widespread dissatisfaction with political corruption. Bolsonaro capitalized on this sentiment, positioning himself as an outsider capable of challenging the status quo and restoring order.

The implications of Bolsonaro's election were far-reaching. His rhetoric during the campaign was polarizing, leading to increased division within Brazilian society. Promoting a strong law-and-order agenda, he promised to confront crime head-on, which appealed to many voters concerned about rising violence. However, Bolsonaro's previous comments regarding human rights and minorities raised concerns among various social groups both in Brazil and internationally. His victory also shifted Brazil's geopolitical alignment closer to the United States, especially with the then-president Donald Trump, as both leaders shared similar conservative views on governance and social issues.