Lula Wins Fourth Term in Brazil

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secured a fourth presidential term on Sunday after defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil's runoff election. The Superior Electoral Court declared Lula the winner shortly after 9 p.m. Brasilia time. At that point, the incumbent had collected over 64 million votes, representing more than 51 percent of the total. Bolsonaro received over 59 million votes, or 48 percent. The margin of victory exceeded 4 million ballots.

This result marks a historic first for modern Brazilian politics. Lula is the first politician to win a runoff after trailing in the opening round. He also becomes the oldest president sworn in since Brazil returned to democracy. He is scheduled to take office on January 5, 2027.

Lula addressed supporters at a podium decorated with flags, speaking through a hoarse voice and coughing. He thanked voters for defending democracy and acknowledged the difficult legislative environment ahead. “I do not choose the Congress,” he said. “It was the people who chose it, and it is with them that I will vote, work and get things approved.” His next term will face a Congress that is the most right-wing in recent memory.

Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat immediately after the results were announced. He said he would seek to annul the outcome and challenged a Supreme Court decision that extended voting hours by two. Polling stations remained open until 7 p.m. Brasilia time at the request of both campaigns. Bolsonaro accused the court of changing the rules during the election and stated he could not accept the result.

The vote extension followed reports of disruption and alleged voter suppression. Some public transport services were suspended, prompting Lula’s allies to accuse Bolsonaro supporters of limiting bus services to discourage working-class voters. Heavy rainfall also affected southern regions that are traditionally strongholds for Bolsonaro.

Lula entered the runoff with 45 percent of the vote in the October 4 first round, behind Bolsonaro’s 47 percent. During the campaign, Lula focused on living costs. He promoted a constitutional amendment to shorten the workweek, which passed this month, and raised the prospect of free public transport on weekends. He also banned online gambling and sports betting apps in September. Rising household debt had fueled economic dissatisfaction despite low unemployment and declining poverty during his previous term.

The victory interrupts a streak of presidential wins by right-wing candidates in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Lula on the result. US Senator Bernie Sanders described the re-election as “extraordinary.” Relations with Washington remain uncertain. The Trump administration supported the Bolsonaro family and imposed 50 percent tariffs on certain Brazilian products last year to halt the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro. Judges involved faced sanctions. Jair Bolsonaro, whom Lula defeated in 2022, has since received a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup. Donald Trump Jr criticized the voting extension on social media, while US Representative Ro Khanna urged the president to respect the outcome.