Date: 1 October 2006 (run-off 29 October)
What is elected: President, governors, deputies (federal and state) and senators
Term: 4 years
Current president: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Situation: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva narrowly failed to win an outright victory in the first round, but obtained a clear victory against the former governor of the state of Sao Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin, in the run-off.

Lula has vowed to intensify efforts to alleviate poverty during his second four-year term.

The White House sees the Brazilian president as a "moderate", a potential ally to deter more radical left-wing politicians in Latin America such as Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.