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Brazil heads to the polls this Sunday, 25 October, for the second round of its presidential election, in a closely contested race between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. More than 158 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in an election that could determine the political and economic direction of Latin America's largest economy.
Brazilians return to the polls after neither candidate secured an absolute majority in the first round, held on 4 October. Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.03% of valid votes, compared with 45.16% for Lula da Silva, giving him a lead of less than two percentage points.
The race enters its decisive stage amid deep political polarisation. The latest opinion polls, released on Saturday, 24 October, indicate a statistical tie between the two candidates. According to the Datafolha polling institute, Flávio Bolsonaro has 51% of valid voting intentions, while Lula stands at 49%, a difference within the margin of error.
The election campaign has been dominated by disagreements over the economy, public security, corruption and democratic institutions. Lula is seeking re-election, highlighting social welfare programmes and public investments implemented during his administration. Flávio Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has pledged to strengthen the fight against crime, restore household purchasing power and introduce changes to government administration.
During the final televised debate, hosted by TV Globo on Friday, 23 October, the candidates exchanged personal and political accusations. Lula questioned his opponent's connections with individuals linked to investigations, while Flávio criticised the current administration's economic management and reiterated his commitment to tougher public security policies.
The election carries significant implications for Brazil's political future. A Lula victory would ensure continuity in the current government's policies, while a Flávio Bolsonaro victory would mark the return of the Bolsonaro family to the presidency, four years after Jair Bolsonaro's defeat in the 2022 election.
Voting is scheduled to take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Brasília time, corresponding to 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Mozambique. The result will determine who leads Brazil for the next four years, following one of the country's most closely contested presidential races in recent history.
The Mozambican Government has decided to extend until March 2029 the validity of a $2.25 billion sovereign guarantee granted to creditors of the Mozambique LNG project, led by French energy giant TotalEnergies in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, Cabo Delgado province. The decision follows a revision of the financial timetable for the project, valued at approximately $20 billion.
Mozambique’s Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and Ministry of Finance are discussing mechanisms to settle outstanding payments owed to teachers, including overtime compensation, additional teaching shifts, salaries and career progression entitlements. The two institutions are also seeking financial resources to ensure the printing and distribution of school textbooks for the 2027 academic year.
Mozambique and Russia have expressed their intention to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation, with the aim of identifying new investment opportunities and expanding bilateral relations. The commitment was highlighted on Monday, 26 October, during a meeting between Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.
US President Donald Trump raised allegations of fraud in Brazil’s presidential election on Monday, 26 October, following the re-election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a fourth term. Despite questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process, the American leader provided no evidence of irregularities.
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England striker Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, won the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday, 26 October, beating France’s Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Spain’s Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. The award, presented by France Football magazine, recognises the 33-year-old as the world’s best footballer following a season marked by an outstanding goalscoring performance.
The Mozambican Government is preparing to open document application centres in South Africa, Portugal and England within the next six months, aiming to improve access to public services for citizens living abroad and reduce the costs associated with travelling back to Mozambique.
Mozambique’s National Energy Fund (FUNAE) plans to complete ten electrification projects by June 2027, as part of efforts to accelerate electricity access across the country, particularly in rural areas. The initiative follows financial constraints that have delayed construction works and the maintenance of energy infrastructure in several regions.
The Angolan Government has proposed a 10% salary increase for public sector employees in 2027, a move that has drawn criticism from trade unions, which consider the proposed adjustment insufficient compared with a 2024 agreement that envisaged a cumulative 100% salary increase over three years.
