Lula wins fourth presidential term

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will serve as Brazil's president for a fourth term after winning 51.79% of the vote in Sunday's runoff. His right-wing challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, received 48.21% of the total. The margin between the two candidates stood at 4.4 million votes. This victory makes Lula the first Brazilian president since the return to civilian rule in 1985 to win a second consecutive election after losing the first round.

The campaign began with a lead for Bolsonaro. On October 4, Bolsonaro won the first round with 47% of the vote, surpassing Lula's 45%. Lula's team focused on increasing participation among the 33 million voters who abstained in the first round. The strategy proved effective. Sunday marked the largest drop in abstention between two rounds of a presidential election since 1989.

The voting process faced a final complication. Polling stations were scheduled to close at their usual time, but the Supreme Court issued an order to extend voting by two hours. Both campaigns requested the extension for different reasons. Lula's team cited a lack of buses in São Paulo and Bahia that prevented voters from reaching their stations. Bolsonaro's campaign pointed to heavy rain in the southern regions and São Paulo. The decision came just as polls were closing, leaving some stations unable to reopen.

Supreme Court President Kassio Nunes Marques confirmed the result. He stated that the extension did not cause issues for the count or the electoral process. Marques was appointed by former president Jair Bolsonaro, the father of the losing candidate.

Flávio Bolsonaro has refused to recognize the outcome. He called for the result to be annulled, describing the victory as inexplicable and impossible. Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for a coup attempt, had prepared a victory speech but now argues the result should be overturned. Legal experts say the chances of annulment are remote. Fernando Neisser of the Institute of Lawyers of São Paulo noted the large margin makes a legal challenge difficult. Alberto Rollo pointed out that presidential election dates are fixed by the constitution, adding another layer of complexity to any challenge.

Lula celebrated in the streets of São Paulo, while Bolsonaro supporters left their watch party in Brasília. Lula told the crowd that his fourth term would be the best in the country's history and that he would listen most to the Brazilian people. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin told him he had saved Brazilian democracy for the second time.

Lula turns 81 on Tuesday. His new term begins on January 5, 2026. The administration will operate amid diplomatic tensions, particularly with the United States. Lula referenced US President Donald Trump's Donroe Doctrine, which seeks US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Lula insisted that Brazil will not accept being anyone's backyard. Trump, who has supported Jair Bolsonaro, has not yet reacted to the result. Other world leaders, including those from Ecuador, the European Union, Spain, France, and South Africa, have sent congratulations.

The victory positions Lula to serve until 2030. He will lead a government that has bucked a regional trend of right-wing elections in countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.