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Lula wins fourth term in Brazil; Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to concede
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential runoff with about 51.8% of the vote, coming from behind to secure a fourth term, while right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro refused to recognize the result and vowed to seek its annulment.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Sunday's presidential runoff, defeating right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and securing a fourth, non-consecutive term as leader of Latin America's largest country.
With nearly all votes counted, data from Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) showed Lula with about 51.8% of valid votes, or 64.3 million, against 48.2%, or 59.8 million, for Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The margin was roughly 4.4 million votes.
Bolsonaro had led the Oct. 4 first round with 47% to Lula's 45%, making Lula the first candidate since Brazil's return to democracy to win the presidency after finishing second in the first round. His 64.3 million votes are also the most any presidential candidate has received in Brazil, topping his own 2022 record.
'Not anyone's backyard'
Speaking to supporters and reporters in São Paulo, Lula said the result showed Brazil "does not accept being anyone's backyard." Quoting singer Chico Buarque, he said his government "did not speak harshly to Bolivia and did not speak softly to the United States. We spoke the same way to everyone."
"Once we win the election, we no longer have adversaries. I have to govern for 215 million people," Lula said. He called for regulating digital platforms, accusing big tech companies of trying to steer the country's election, and described the vote as "a defeat of denialism" and "a defeat of lies."
Lula, a former metalworker who turns 81 on Tuesday, noted he is the only Brazilian president without a university degree to be elected four times, and pledged to deliver "the best term a president has ever had in the history of this country." He said he would not seek another term.
He then headed to São Paulo's Avenida Paulista, where large crowds of supporters had gathered to celebrate.
Bolsonaro vows to seek annulment
Bolsonaro refused to recognize the result, telling reporters in Brasília that he would ask the courts to annul the election. "It is impossible to recognize the result of the elections in the context in which these things happened," he said. "I will not give up on my Brazil."
He blamed a last-minute decision by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, Lula's former lawyer, to keep polling stations that had not yet closed open for two more hours, until 7 p.m. Brasília time. Lula's coalition had requested the extension, citing public transportation problems in São Paulo, Salvador and other cities, while Bolsonaro's campaign had also sought more time in southern states hit by heavy rain.
Electoral law experts said the chances of annulling the runoff are remote. Justices of the TSE and the Supreme Court acknowledged failures in the episode but ruled out annulling the presidential vote. Even within Bolsonaro's Liberal Party, Rep. Carlos Jordy said he was "trying to reverse something that is impossible to reverse."
Congratulations pour in
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the result as a victory for democracy and the Brazilian people. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for deeper trade and economic ties, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the partnership with Brazil would keep growing.
In the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were among those who congratulated Lula. A vocal critic of President Donald Trump, Lula argued during the campaign that a Bolsonaro win would give Washington greater influence over Brazil.
Lula has also been an outspoken critic of Israel's war in Gaza, previously accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of carrying out "a genocide against women and children."
Lula's new term begins Jan. 5, 2027.
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