A recent Quaest poll reveals that a significant portion of Brazilians do not support President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeking another term in 2026.
Conducted between May 2 and 6 with 2,045 voters, the survey shows 55% of respondents oppose another term for Lula, while 42% support it. A small 3% remain undecided.
This poll, released on May 13, has a margin of error of 2 percentage points and a 95% confidence level.
Felipe Nunes, director of Quaest, noted that Lula must regain public trust to secure another term as opposition candidates work to increase their visibility.
Support for Lula differs across regions. In the Northeast, 60% of voters support another term for him, while 38% oppose it.
In contrast, in the Southeast, 63% reject another term, and 33% support it. 59% oppose another term, with 39% favor it in the South.
In the combined Central-West and North regions, 58% reject another term, while 37% support it.
Gender and economic factors also play roles. Among women, 52% oppose another term for Lula, compared to 59% of men.
Support stands at 45% among women and 38% among men.
Lula has majority support among those earning up to two minimum wages (54% support, 43% oppose) and those with elementary education (54% support, 44% oppose).
However, among those earning up to five minimum wages, 66% oppose another term, while 29% support it.
Among those with higher education, 63% oppose another term, while 32% support it.
Even among Lula’s previous voters, 23% oppose another term, while 74% support it. Among Bolsonaro voters, 93% oppose another term for Lula, and 6% support it.
Among those who voted blank, null, or abstained, 63% rejected another term for Lula, while 31% supported it.
Rejection and Potential
Despite this overall rejection, Lula still holds the highest potential vote share among tested political figures.
He received 47% of votes, compared to 39% for former president Jair Bolsonaro, 32% for Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, and 33% for former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro.
However, 54% of respondents would not vote for Bolsonaro, 50% would not support Haddad or Michelle Bolsonaro, and 49% would not vote for Lula.
Other political figures have lower recognition and rejection rates among voters.
These include São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior, Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema, and Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado.
The survey also examined public opinion on the best replacement for Bolsonaro as the right-wing candidate in 2026.
Michelle Bolsonaro received 28% support, while Tarcísio de Freitas received 24%.
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