Lula Wins Fourth Term in Brazil, Defeating Flavio Bolsonaro

Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was declared the winner of Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday, receiving 51.7% of the vote against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who obtained 48.3%. The electoral court confirmed the result after a two-hour extension of voting hours was granted following complaints about transportation disruptions and heavy rain in some regions.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, described the extension as “unacceptable” and a “dirty trick,” and said he would request the annulment of the election. “It is impossible to recognise the results. I am going to request the annulment of these elections,” he said in a brief speech in Brasília.

Lula, 80, thanked voters, stating, “People went to vote because we managed to convince them that voting was very important for ensuring democracy in the country.” Celebrations erupted in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with supporters gathering in the Workers’ Party’s red colors.

Analysts attributed Lula’s victory to higher-than-expected turnout and a preference among voters for a known policy path over change. Leonardo Barreto of Think Policy said, “People today are choosing between change, with some apprehension, and a known path, which guarantees certain rights.”

The result gives Lula a fourth term but places him in a legislature dominated by right-leaning parties, which could limit his influence over policy and appointments. Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, warned that Lula may start his term as a “lame duck.”

Economists note that Brazil’s economy is projected to grow about 2.3% next year, with public debt above 80% of GDP and high interest rates posing fiscal challenges. Lula’s campaign highlighted social-policy achievements, while his opponents warned of potential cuts to welfare spending.

International reactions included congratulations from Chile’s President José Antonio Kast and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, while Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the democratic outcome on social media.