Brazil's incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the presidential runoff on October 25 and will become head of state for the fourth time. His rival, right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, refused to recognize the defeat.
According to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), after virtually all ballots had been counted, Lula received about 51.8% of the valid votes (64.3 million), while Bolsonaro received 48.2% (59.8 million). The margin was about 4.4 million votes.
Bolsonaro led the first round on October 4, with 47% compared with Lula's 45%. Lula thus became the first candidate since Brazil's return to democracy to win an election after finishing second in the first round. His 64.3 million votes were a record for a Brazilian presidential candidate.
“The best term in the country's history”
Speaking to supporters in São Paulo, Lula recalled that he would turn 81 on October 27 and promised to “make this the best presidential term in the country's history.”
The former metallurgist stressed that he was the only president in Brazil's history without a university degree to be elected democratically four times. He added that he would not seek another term but would serve out his current mandate.
Lula said that after the election victory, “we no longer have opponents,” and that he must govern the country in the interests of all 215 million Brazilians. The politician called for digital platforms to be regulated, accusing major technology companies of attempting to influence the election outcome. Addressing supporters, he said: “I doubt that Russia, China or the United States has an army as victorious as the army of our country's democracy.”
After his speech, Lula went to Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, where thousands of his supporters celebrated the victory.
Bolsonaro will seek to annul the election
Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said it was “impossible to recognize the election results in the context of what happened” and promised to seek their annulment in court.
He cited a decision by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, Lula's former lawyer, to extend voting by two hours, until 7 p.m. Brasília time, at polling stations that had not yet closed. Lula's coalition had sought the extension because of public transport problems in São Paulo and Salvador, while Bolsonaro's campaign team requested an extension in the southern states because of heavy rains.
Electoral law experts consider the chances of annulling the election minimal. Judges on the Superior Electoral Court and Supreme Court acknowledged the disruptions but ruled out canceling the presidential election results.
Congratulations and position on Gaza
Lula has already received congratulations from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Lula is one of the key BRICS leaders; during the campaign, he opposed the growing influence of the United States in Latin America.
Lula is known for his sharp criticism of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. He previously accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “genocide against women and children.”
Lula's new presidential term will begin on January 5, 2027.
