Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured a historic fourth, non-consecutive term after defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro by approximately 4.4 million votes in Sunday’s presidential runoff election.
Official results showed Lula, 80, of the Workers’ Party, received 51.79 per cent of the votes, against 48.21 per cent for Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The victory marks a remarkable comeback for Lula, who trailed Bolsonaro in the first round on October 4 before overturning the deficit in the decisive runoff.
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“This election was a defeat for denialism and lies,” Lula declared in his victory speech, while reaffirming Brazil’s sovereignty and insisting the country would not become “anyone’s backyard.”
The result has attracted international reactions, with several world leaders congratulating Lula and expressing optimism about continued cooperation with Latin America’s largest economy.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the outcome, declaring, “Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for stronger Canada-Brazil relations, particularly in trade, environmental protection and shared prosperity.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña highlighted cooperation on regional integration and development, while Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi praised the democratic electoral process.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described Lula’s victory as historic, linking it to peace, sovereignty and social justice.
However, the result has also drawn criticism from some figures aligned with the American right.
Flávio Bolsonaro refused to concede and called for the election to be annulled, citing controversy surrounding a two-hour extension of voting time. The complaint has not, by itself, overturned the officially declared result.
Lula’s victory comes amid political divisions in Brazil and a broader regional trend of right-wing electoral gains.
His next administration will face the challenge of addressing economic concerns, inequality, public security and environmental protection while negotiating with a fragmented Congress.
The outcome is also expected to influence Brazil’s international positioning, including its engagement with BRICS, the Global South and major global powers. Lula is due to begin his new term in January 2027.