Lula Becomes Brazil’s President for Fourth Time

Brazil’s incumbent president and left-wing leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won the presidential runoff, defeating his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro to secure a fourth term as the country’s president. Lula staged a comeback in the second round after trailing in the first round of voting.

Brazil’s electoral authorities confirmed Lula’s victory after counting all the votes in the runoff held on Sunday (October 25). According to the Associated Press (AP), Lula secured around 51.8 per cent of the vote, while his rival Flávio Bolsonaro received approximately 48.2 per cent. The margin between the two candidates was around 4.4 million votes.

Flávio Bolsonaro received more votes than Lula in the first round. However, as neither candidate secured the required majority, the election went to a runoff, where Lula won by a decisive margin. This is reportedly the first time in Brazil’s presidential elections since the end of military rule in 1985 that a candidate who finished second in the first round has won the runoff.

Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. He contested the presidential election with the backing of his father’s political support. Lula secured his third term in 2022 by defeating Jair Bolsonaro. Following his latest victory, Lula’s fourth term is set to begin on January 5, 2027.

Before the election, voters were concerned about the cost of living, food prices and public safety. Flávio Bolsonaro promised tough measures to combat crime and reduce food prices. Lula, meanwhile, pledged to continue his government’s social and economic programmes.

Following Lula’s victory, his supporters celebrated in several cities. However, Flávio Bolsonaro refused to accept defeat and called for the election results to be annulled. He questioned the decision to extend voting hours by two hours at the last minute, arguing that the results were unacceptable. According to reports, both candidates had requested an extension of voting hours.

Sources: AP, Reuters and BBC