Lula Secures Historic Fourth Term in Brazil With Narrow Victory Over Flávio Bolsonaro
The 81-year-old leader won 51.79% of the vote in a runoff that saw the lowest abstention rate since 1989, despite his rival’s call to annul the result.
By Natalie Cooper ·
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term in office on Sunday, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro with 51.79% of the vote.
The result represents a 4.4 million vote margin over Bolsonaro, who received 48.21%. Lula becomes the first president in Brazilian history to secure a fourth term, with his new mandate set to begin on January 5 and run through 2030.
The campaign featured a dramatic shift in voter behavior. In the first round on October 4, Bolsonaro held a 2 percentage point lead with 47% of the vote compared to Lula’s 45%. However, Lula’s campaign focused heavily on increasing turnout, a strategy that proved effective. Sunday’s election saw the largest drop in abstention between two presidential rounds since 1989, after 33 million people had skipped the first ballot.
Polling stations remained open for two additional hours on Sunday evening, a rare extension requested by both camps. Lula’s team cited a lack of buses in São Paulo and Bahia, while Bolsonaro’s campaign pointed to heavy rain in southern regions. The Supreme Court issued the decision just as polls were scheduled to close, leaving some already-shuttered stations unable to reopen.
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro, has refused to accept the outcome. He described the result as inexplicable and impossible, calling for its annulment. Supreme Court President Kassio Nunes Marques, who was appointed by the elder Bolsonaro, confirmed Lula’s victory and stated that the voting extension did not disrupt the count. Legal experts, including Fernando Neisser of the Institute of Lawyers of São Paulo, noted that overturning such a large margin is difficult, while Alberto Rollo added that constitutional fixed dates complicate any challenge.
Lula addressed celebratory crowds in São Paulo, declaring the win a loss for negativity and lies. He stated 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 Lula that he had saved Brazilian democracy for the second time.
The victory comes as Lula turns 81 on Tuesday. He previously served two non-consecutive terms, leading the country from 2003 to 2010 and again starting in 2023. International reactions included congratulations from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Lula also addressed tensions with the United States, asserting that Brazil will not accept being anyone's backyard, a reference to the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Source: BBC News
