SAO PAULO, Brazil / ConSynSer / – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been re-elected president of Brazil after defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Sunday’s runoff, the Superior Electoral Court announced on October 25. Lula won 51.76% of the vote with nearly all polling stations counted, while Bolsonaro took 48.24%. The final count gave Lula a lead of almost 4.4 million votes. The win secures a fourth non-consecutive term for the leftist leader.
Lula trailed after the first round, when Bolsonaro took 47% to Lula’s 45%, a gap of 2.2 million votes. No candidate who finished second in a first round had won the presidency since Brazil’s military dictatorship ended in 1985. Lula first served as president from 2003 to 2010 and returned to power after narrowly beating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022. The new term will start on January 5, 2027.
Bolsonaro declined to concede and called for the results to be annulled, with plans for legal action. The challenge focuses on Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin’s decision, made three minutes before polls closed, to extend voting by two hours. Both campaigns had requested the extension. Lula’s team cited bus disruptions in Sao Paulo and Salvador, and the Bolsonaro team cited heavy rain in the south. Bolsonaro ally Nikolas Ferreira noted that Zanin is Lula’s former lawyer.
Sovereignty theme marks victory speech
Addressing supporters, Lula thanked Brazilians and promised to respect everyone regardless of gender or religion. Lula called the result a defeat for denialism and lies. The president also emphasized sovereignty, declaring that Brazil “will not accept being anyone’s backyard.” Observers had described the day’s voting as peaceful and transparent. Electoral authorities said they were reviewing a report on bus problems in the state of Bahia.
Living costs and crime dominated the campaign. Bolsonaro promised a tough approach to crime and lower food prices. Lula’s government pointed to debt relief for small firms and free public transport on weekends. Bolsonaro had pledged to seek an amnesty for his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest over a coup attempt. Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, will be among the oldest leaders in the Americas.
Trade tensions with US in focus
Lula’s victory is seen as keeping Brazil at arm’s length from the Trump administration. Washington has placed high tariffs on Brazilian goods, a policy that opened the door for Australian producers in some markets. US President Donald Trump followed the race but did not back either candidate. Bolsonaro had promoted connections to the White House and sought better trade terms, including for rare earth minerals.
Brazil’s rare earth deposits are estimated at up to 21 million tons, the second largest after China. The country’s economy produces about $2.6 trillion a year. Lula’s government has also cited environmental progress, after Amazon fires fell to a historic low this year. The new mandate runs until early 2031. Bolsonaro has not accepted the outcome and is seeking to have the vote annulled.