Flávio Bolsonaro's success in Brazil's presidential election is being hailed as the result of a "blue wave" - the latest example of a resurgence of right-wing support sweeping Latin America.

But despite missing an outright majority – meaning there will be a second round later this month – the unexpectedly clear first round victory leaves his left-wing opponent needing an unprecedented result to retain the presidency.

Senator Bolsonaro is the eldest son of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, who became known as the "Trump of the Tropics" due to his ideological alignment with the US president.

The younger Bolsonaro is 45 years old and is part of the-right wing political dynasty initiated by his father.

He had never before run for the presidency and surprised observers by finishing ahead of the 80-year-old president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, of the Workers' Party.

All polls had indicated a close race, with Lula and Bolsonaro statistically tied. But that was not what happened on Sunday. Flávio obtained 56.1 million votes, while Lula received 53.8 million.

Part of Bolsonaro's success at the ballot box may be related less to his popularity and more to the numbers of people rejecting Lula.

Bolsonaro has presented himself as a dynamic young politician connected to the demands of younger voters, including concerns about rising crime rates in a country that records more than 40,000 homicides annually.

But polling groups such as Datafolha, one of Brazil's most respected institutes, suggest that this election has been a battle of rejection rates.

Its most recent survey suggested that, on the eve of the election, both candidates had the same rejection rate with voters: 45%.

The problem for Lula, however, appeared to be worse.

One poll showed that 49% disapproved of his government, while the approval rate stood at 48%.

Analysts had been saying that never before in Brazilian history had a president managed to seek re-election with such a high disapproval rate.

Voter dissatisfaction with Lula's government shows that the left-wing leader is facing a paradox. The official unemployment rate is at its lowest level in history, around 5.3%. Average income is also at its highest level since records began.

Despite the economy's apparent solid performance, Brazilians have shown considerable dissatisfaction with their current living conditions.

In an attempt to address this issue, Lula increased by 15% the value of Bolsa Família, the government's main social welfare program.

He also banned online gambling, which was legalised in 2018 and has since been blamed for widespread household income losses due to addiction.

Read More