Lula Claims Fourth Term in Brazil

Brazilian voters chose Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for a fourth presidential term on Sunday, overriding a first-round deficit to secure a victory in the runoff. The Superior Electoral Court declared Lula the winner shortly after 9 p.m. Brasilia time. With counting still underway, the incumbent commanded more than 51 percent of the vote, totaling over 64 million ballots. His opponent, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, trailed with 48 percent and more than 59 million votes, a margin exceeding 4 million ballots.

Lula’s win marks a historical first in modern Brazilian politics, as he becomes the first candidate to prevail in a runoff after losing the initial round. At 80 years old, the former metalworkers’ union leader will assume office on January 5, 2027. This date will see him surpass his own record as the oldest president sworn in since Brazil’s return to democracy. His legislative path will be difficult, as he faces the most right-wing Congress in recent memory.

Addressing supporters at a podium decorated with flags, Lula acknowledged the hurdles ahead. He spoke with a hoarse voice and coughed intermittently. “I do not choose the Congress,” he stated. “It was the people who chose it, and it is with them that I will vote, work and get things approved.” The result provides a check on the recent rise of right-wing governments across the region, including in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Flavio Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat immediately. He announced plans to seek annulment of the results, citing a Supreme Court decision that extended voting hours by two. Both campaigns had requested additional time, keeping polling stations open until 7 p.m. Brasilia time. Bolsonaro accused the court of changing rules mid-election and said he could not accept the outcome. The extension followed reports of public transport suspensions in some areas, which Lula’s allies blamed on attempts to suppress working-class turnout.

The economic context of the campaign focused on living costs. Lula promoted a constitutional amendment passed this month to shorten the workweek and proposed free public transport on weekends. While poverty declined and unemployment stayed low during his previous term, rising household debt created dissatisfaction. In September, he banned online gambling and sports betting apps to address financial concerns among voters.

International reactions highlighted the geopolitical shift. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Lula, and US Senator Bernie Sanders called the re-election “extraordinary.” However, relations with Washington remain uncertain. The Trump administration previously supported the Bolsonaro family and imposed 50 percent tariffs on certain Brazilian products to halt the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Donald Trump Jr. criticized the voting extension on social media, while US Representative Ro Khanna urged the president to respect the outcome.