Lula wins fourth term, pledges Brazil will stay free of dictatorship
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the runoff against far-right challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, vowing that democracy would endure and authoritarian rule would never return.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was declared the winner of the runoff election on Sunday, defeating far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro by more than four million votes in a clear rebuke to reactionary forces. Lula, addressing a crowd of supporters in São Paulo, said, "Democracy always, dictatorship never again. Democracy always, fascism never again," and thanked voters for what he called "God's work."
The health minister, Alexandre Padilha, described the result as a "huge victory for the Brazilian people" and said it sent an important signal to the rest of Latin America. Lula received 64.2 million votes (51.79%) to Bolsonaro's 59.8 million (48.21%), reflecting a decisive choice for democratic continuity.
International reactions varied. Leaders from Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, Chile, Peru, Colombia and the European Commission congratulated Brazil on the outcome and highlighted the affirmation of democratic values. A spokesperson for China said the country respects the choice of the Brazilian people.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had not commented for nearly a day, described the election as looking "terrible" and suggested the tabulation was odd, but did not pledge any action.
In Brazil, former environment minister Marina Silva expressed relief that Indigenous territories would remain protected under Lula's administration. Lawmaker Erika Hilton said the United States had failed to influence the vote, stating, "We have defeated the interference of the US government, which thought it could turn our country into its back yard. Brazil and the Brazilians are too gigantic to be anybody’s back yard."
Flávio Bolsonaro and his allies appeared visibly upset after the count, while some supporters of Lula mocked the defeated candidate with satirical costumes. The election marks the first time a first-round loser has won the second round since the return to democracy after the 1964-85 military regime, underscoring how fragile democratic institutions can be when confronted by authoritarian nostalgia.