Lula wins fourth term with narrow runoff victory

Brazilian voters will continue to elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as their president for a fourth non-consecutive term. The incumbent secured 51.78 percent of valid votes in the runoff held on Sunday, outpacing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who received 48.22 percent. The Superior Electoral Court confirmed the final tally late on Sunday night, ending a campaign defined by a tight race and weather-related disruptions.

The voting process faced significant interruptions across the country due to heavy rainfall and technical errors. Polling stations, originally scheduled to close at 7pm local time, remained open for two extra hours. While the Supreme Court approved the extension, Bolsonaro argued that the move altered the rules of the election. He stated that his legal team would seek to annul the vote, claiming that Lula’s allies on the Federal Supreme Court changed the rules arbitrarily.

Reports suggest that both campaigns requested the additional time. They cited downpours and transport issues that prevented some voters from reaching their assigned polling stations. This shared request contrasts with Bolsonaro’s public stance that the extension was a unilateral decision by the judiciary.

This outcome marks a historical first in modern Brazilian politics. Lula is the first candidate to lose the initial round of voting and then win the subsequent runoff. His victory also runs counter to a regional trend where conservative governments have recently taken power in several Latin American nations. Lula is scheduled to begin his new term on 5 January 2027.

In a speech to supporters, Lula promised to deliver the best term any president has served. He dedicated his remarks to national sovereignty, stating that Brazil is no longer an external back yard. He noted that the election defeated outside interference. He also pledged to work around the clock to realize the country's collective dreams.

Lula’s political platform emphasizes closer cooperation with emerging economies and the defense of national sovereignty. During his previous terms, he prioritized poverty reduction, social spending, and environmental protection. His foreign policy has often diverged from that of the United States and Israel, with Lula advocating for Palestinian statehood and stronger ties with Iran and China. Congratulations on the result arrived from leaders including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, US Senator Bernie Sanders, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.