Brazil Quaest Poll: 60% Say Flavio Is Not the Right’s Best
Brazil · ELECTIONS 2026
Key Facts
- —What happened Quaest poll found 60% say Flavio Bolsonaro is not the best right candidate.
- —How big 33% say he is best. 7% have no answer.
- —The catch Despite that, he trails Lula by only one point in a runoff.
- —Who it hits Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign faces doubts within his own political base.
- —What comes next First round is October 4; runoff likely if no one tops 50%.
A new Quaest poll shows most Brazilians doubt Flavio Bolsonaro is the right’s strongest choice. Yet he runs nearly even with Lula in a runoff.
A Quaest poll in Brazil shows 60% of voters say Flavio Bolsonaro is not the best candidate the right could field. The same poll puts him nearly tied with Lula in a runoff.
Poll Details
Quaest surveyed 2,004 people between 30 August and 1 September 2026. The margin of error is two points.
The poll was commissioned by Globo. It was registered with Brazil’s electoral court under number BR-07065/2026.
The Key Question
The question asked was whether Flavio is the best candidate the right could have. In response, 60% said no, 33% said yes, and 7% had no opinion.
This finding comes from a national survey, not a regional one. It reflects the views of voters across Brazil.
First-Round Numbers
In the first-round scenario, Lula leads with 37%. Flavio Bolsonaro follows with 30%.
Augusto Cury has 10%, and Renan Santos has 3%.
Runoff Race Tightens
In a simulated runoff, Lula gets 42% and Flavio Bolsonaro gets 41%. Quaest calls this a technical tie, given the margin of error.
An earlier Quaest poll on 14 August had Lula ahead by 43% to 40%. The gap has narrowed.
What Voters Think
A Quaest poll found 60% of respondents say Flávio Bolsonaro is not the best candidate the right could have fielded. The same poll shows a technical tie in a runoff scenario, with Lula at 42% and Flávio at 41%.
The margin of error is 2 percentage points. The poll surveyed 2,004 people between August 30 and September 1, 2026.
Context of the Race
Brazil’s presidential election uses a two-round system. A candidate must win over 50% of valid votes to avoid a runoff.
The two-round system ensures the winner has majority support. It also gives voters a second chance to choose.
Comparison with Lula
The same poll asked whether Lula is the best candidate the left could field. According to O Globo’s Pulso blog, 49% said yes.
That is higher than the 33% who say Flavio is the best for the right.
Implications for the Right
Flavio Bolsonaro remains the leading right-wing candidate. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, is barred from running.
Jair Bolsonaro’s ban leaves a gap in right-wing leadership. Flavio is trying to fill that role.
Poll Methodology
Quaest surveyed 2,004 people between August 30 and September 1, 2026. The margin of error is two percentage points.
The poll was registered with Brazil’s TSE under number BR-07065/2026. The confidence level is 95%.
Understanding Quaest
Quaest is a polling firm in Brazil. It conducted a national poll for Globo.
The poll was registered with Brazil’s TSE. It surveyed 2,004 people.
The Role of Globo
Globo is Brazil’s largest media conglomerate. It commissioned this Quaest poll.
Globo’s news division, G1, reported the results. The company also runs TV and radio networks.
Media commissions help fund independent polling. This allows for regular public opinion tracking.
Election Timeline
The first round is on October 4, 2026. If no candidate wins over 50%, a runoff is held on October 25.
In Brazil, presidential elections use a two-round system if no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes in the first round.
Poll Registration and Methodology
The Quaest poll was registered with Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court, known as the TSE, under number BR-07065/2026. This registration is a standard requirement for election polls in Brazil.
The survey interviewed 2,004 people aged 16 or over across Brazil between August 30 and September 1, 2026. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points, and the confidence level is 95%.
The Exact Question Wording
The exact question in Portuguese was: “Flávio é o melhor candidato que a direita poderia ter?” In English, that means: “Is Flávio the best candidate the right could have?”
According to G1, the results were: 60% said no, 33% said yes, and 7% did not know or did not answer. This exact wording and breakdown were reported by G1 on September 2, 2026.
Comparison with Lula’s Numbers
The same Quaest poll also asked if Lula is the best candidate the left could have. According to O Globo’s Pulso blog, 49% said yes, while 33% said Flávio is the best option for the right.
Valor Econômico reported that 49% of respondents said Lula is the best name for the left.
Another 36% said Lula is not the best choice, and 15% did not know or did not answer.
Previous Poll Results
An earlier Quaest poll released on August 14, 2026, showed Lula leading Flávio Bolsonaro by 43% to 40% in a runoff scenario. This indicates a shift in the race over a few weeks.
The September 2 poll shows a tighter race. Lula has 42%, Flávio 41%, a technical tie within the margin of error.
First-Round Numbers
In the first-round scenario, the Quaest poll showed Lula with 37%. Flávio Bolsonaro had 30%, Augusto Cury 10%, and Renan Santos 3%.
These numbers are from the same poll released on September 2, 2026, as reported by Reuters.
What the Poll Means for the Right
The finding that 60% of respondents do not see Flávio as the best candidate for the right is significant. It suggests that many voters are not fully satisfied with the right’s choice.
This information comes from multiple sources, including InfoMoney and O Globo, which reported the same topline numbers.
Media Coverage and Sources
The Quaest poll was widely covered by Brazilian media. G1, InfoMoney, Valor Econômico, and O Globo all reported on the results on September 2, 2026.
The poll was commissioned by Globo, a major Brazilian media group, and conducted by Quaest, a polling firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Quaest poll ask about Flavio Bolsonaro?
It asked if Flavio is the best candidate the right could have. 60% said no, 33% said yes, and 7% had no answer.
How close is the runoff race between Lula and Flavio?
Lula leads with 42% to Flavio’s 41%. Quaest calls it a technical tie due to the margin of error.
When was the poll conducted?
Quaest surveyed 2,004 people between 30 August and 1 September 2026. The poll was released on 2 September.
Why is Flavio Bolsonaro running instead of Jair Bolsonaro?
Jair Bolsonaro is barred from running for office. Flavio, his son, is the leading right-wing candidate.
Connected Coverage
Sources: InfoMoney; G1; O Globo; Valor Econômico; Reuters.
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