Kremlin declines comment on Brazil election, says wait for results
In short
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Brazil's presidential election, telling a briefing that the electoral process is not finished and that assessments should wait for the results. Brazil held general elections on 4 October, and the presidential race went to a 25 October runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, according to Kommersant. Russian outlets gave differing first-round tallies and candidate counts.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Brazil's elections at a briefing, saying the electoral process there is not finished and that assessments should wait for the results. TASS, RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Kommersant all reported the remarks on 5 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to Vedomosti, Peskov was answering a question on whether the Russian government is following the Brazilian elections. Kommersant reported that he was also asked to comment on expert opinion that candidate Flávio Bolsonaro leans more toward the United States than toward the BRICS countries. Peskov replied that “the elections are continuing, the electoral process in Brazil is not finished. Let us wait for the results and then give assessments,” according to Vedomosti, and that “we will wait for the results and then give an assessment,” according to Kommersant. [ 2 , 4 ]
Brazil held general elections on 4 October, and the second round is scheduled for 25 October, both outlets reported. Vedomosti said voters were choosing a vice president, governors, members of the National Congress and local parliaments, with the presidential race the main contest. Kommersant named the two candidates who advanced: incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing populist Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who held office in 2019–2023. [ 2 , 4 ]
The first-round tallies reported by the two outlets differ. Vedomosti said Bolsonaro led da Silva by 47.03% (56.1 million votes) to 45.16% (53.9 million). Kommersant said that after almost 99% of ballots were counted, Bolsonaro had 47.28% and his rival 44.87%. Vedomosti said 13 candidates took part, while Kommersant said 12. [ 2 , 4 ]
Kommersant added that Brazil's position toward BRICS matters for Russia in practical as well as diplomatic terms: China, Brazil's partner in the grouping, provides about 30% of its exports, and Russia supplies the country with critically important fertilizers, so Brazil's foreign policy course is limited by trade ties and the needs of its economy. It said an open conflict with BRICS would carry serious economic and political costs for the Bolsonaro family, which positions itself as a defender of farmers, and that its foreign policy stance therefore implies balancing between partners. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The Kremlin's refusal to assess the vote keeps Russia's public position open while the Brazilian campaign continues into a runoff, Kommersant noted that Brazil's stance toward BRICS has practical weight for Russia, which it says supplies the country with critical fertilizers. Kommersant also argued that economic ties limit how far Brazil's next leadership can shift its foreign policy.
Key facts
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia should wait for Brazil's election results before giving assessments. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Peskov made the remarks at a briefing on 5 October. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Peskov declined to comment on the position of presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, Kommersant reported. [ 4 ]
- Brazil held general elections on 4 October, with a second round set for 25 October. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Vedomosti reported that 13 candidates took part; Kommersant reported 12. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Vedomosti put Flávio Bolsonaro on 47.03% (56.1 million votes) against 45.16% (53.9 million) for da Silva; Kommersant put Bolsonaro on 47.28% and his rival on 44.87% after almost 99% of ballots were counted. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Kommersant said China provides about 30% of Brazil's exports and Russia supplies the country with critically important fertilizers. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the electoral process in Brazil is not finished and that assessments should wait for results. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Peskov made the remarks at a briefing. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Brazil held general elections on 4 October. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The presidential race went to a second round on 25 October. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva advanced to the second round. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How many candidates took part in the first round. Vedomosti says 13 candidates took part, while Kommersant says 12; the documents do not explain the difference.
- The exact first-round vote shares. Vedomosti reports 47.03% for Bolsonaro against 45.16% for da Silva, while Kommersant reports 47.28% against 44.87% after almost 99% of ballots were counted; the documents do not state which count is final.
- Whether the vote is presidential only. Vedomosti says voters were also choosing a vice president, governors, members of the National Congress and local parliaments, but no other document lists the offices being filled.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Peskov declined to comment on the course of Brazil's elections and suggested waiting for the results. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reports Peskov's briefing remarks that the electoral process in Brazil is not finished and that assessments should follow the results. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Peskov saying the elections in Brazil are still under way and results must be awaited for an assessment. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant reports that Peskov declined to comment on the position of presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, repeating that the electoral process is not finished. [ 4 ]