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Lula Secures Fourth Term as Brazilian President
· Confirmed
In Short: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a fourth term in office, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election with 51.76% of the valid votes, compared to Bolsonaro’s 48.24%, according to the Superior Electoral Court.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a fourth term in office, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election with 51.76% of the valid votes, compared to Bolsonaro’s 48.24%, according to the Superior Electoral Court.
Lula, at 80, became the first presidential candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985 to win a runoff after finishing second in the first round.
In the three weeks between the first and second rounds, thousands of Brazilians joined rallies and other efforts to reelect Lula, aiming to win over undecided voters and reduce the 21% abstention rate recorded in the first round.
The contest also intensified on social media, where Lula’s campaign accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of using its algorithms to favor Bolsonaro.
Supporters chanted, “Lula, guerreiro, do povo brasileiro,” or “Lula, a fighter for the Brazilian people,” in a video shared on social media shortly before the election result was confirmed.
Lula’s victory margin was approximately 4.43 million votes, making him the first president elected to four terms by popular vote during that period.
In his victory speech, Lula thanked the “generosity of Brazilian people,” including young people who “went to the streets to defend Brazilian democracy,” the BBC reported.
Regional and world leaders congratulated Lula, with China and Cuba expressing their congratulations and support for the Brazilian president.
Flávio Bolsonaro, however, refused to accept the election result, calling for it to be annulled due to a Supreme Court ruling that extended voting for two hours.
The Brazilian economy grew by a cumulative 8.9% between 2022 and 2025, outpacing the average rate of growth in other South American countries.
Progressive leaders in the United States and Mexico joined in celebrating Lula’s victory, recognizing his commitment to workers and democracy.
What this adds
Lula's victory marks a significant political comeback, defying initial predictions and polls.
Lula's campaign focused on defending Brazilian democracy and sovereignty against perceived threats from the US and Bolsonaro's family.
Bolsonaro's refusal to accept the result could lead to legal challenges, but key Brazilian power brokers are rallying behind Lula.
Background
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a historic fourth term in office, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff election.
What's confirmed
- At 80, Lula became the first presidential candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985 to win a runoff after finishing second in the first round.
- RIO DE JANEIRO (CN) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term Sunday, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in a historic comeback following a wave of voter mobilization in the final weeks of the campaign.
- SÃO PAULO — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth term on Sunday, the country’s electoral court said, in a shock result that defied polls, precedent and global anti-incumbent sentiment to put the brakes on a wave of right-wing election victories across Latin America.
- The government forecasts the economy will grow just 2.3% next year Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a fourth term on Sunday, the country’s electoral court said, prompting congratulations from leaders across the Americas even as his opponent, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, refused to accept defeat.
- Diaz-Canel said Lula’s “historic” win “ensures the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty, and social justice embarked upon by the Brazilian people under your leader”.
- Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, congratulated Lula’s “extraordinary re-election victory”, saying the Brazilian president has “stood up” for workers and democracy and will continue to do so for the next four years.
- Senator Bolsonaro said he would ask for the result "to be annulled due to a Sunday Supreme Court ruling that extended voting for two hours."
What's still developing
- Bolsonaro, 45, ran with the backing of his father, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 presidential election.
- The Brazilian president's victory comes after a closely fought campaign against Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup following his 2022 election defeat.
- With 100% of the vote counted, Brazil's electoral court announced that the soon to be 81-year-old Lula held an unassailable lead of nearly 4.4 million votes over opponent Flávio Bolsonaro.
- Here is a quick recap of the main updates from one of the most significant and bruising elections in Brazilian history: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the 80-year-old Brazilian president, has staged a dramatic election comeback, defeating his far-right opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, to claim a historic fourth term in power.
- Lula wins a fourth term after a dramatic run-off marred by voting confusion and allegations of interference.
- Brazilians voted on Sunday in a polarised first round that final polls say is heading for a 25 October runoff.
- At 80, Lula is seeking a fourth and final term, warning that Brazil's sovereignty is at risk from US pressure.
- “To the extent that the regional superpower becomes a threat to Brazil’s democratic institutions, defending Brazilian national sovereignty also becomes a form of defending Brazilian democracy,” Roberts said.
- Feels like: 10.6°C 10.6°F | Patchy rain nearby Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro are facing off in a closely contested presidential election, with polls showing the two candidates in a tight race ahead of Sunday’s first-round vote.
- Speaking on the eve of the demonstration, the 80-year-old leftwinger said he had decided to seek a historic fourth term because he believed only he could prevent the family of his rightwing rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, returning to government.
- Al Jazeera correspondent Monica Yanakiew, reporting from Sao Paulo, said young Brazilians spontaneously organised online after Bolsonaro’s first-round victory, creating what became known as “Lula’s army”.
- International leaders and politicians congratulate the Brazilian president on his re-election.