Brazil's Lula wins fourth presidential term, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro
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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secured a fourth term as Brazil's president, beating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a runoff that defied most polls.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was declared the winner of a fourth term on Sunday, according to the country's electoral court. He defeated Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who had led the first-round vote.
Polls had not projected a clear advantage for Lula, but higher-than-expected turnout was cited as a key factor. Leonardo Barreto, co-founder of consultancy Think Policy, said voters chose Lula’s known policies over the alternative presented by Bolsonaro.
During the campaign, Lula highlighted reductions in poverty and inequality, as well as declines in unemployment, illiteracy and deforestation recorded in his current term. He warned that a Bolsonaro victory could lead to cuts in welfare spending and a shift in Brazil’s foreign policy.
"He is a statesman, a giant," said left-wing federal lawmaker Erika Hilton, who was present in São Paulo during the vote count.
Former foreign minister Celso Amorim told Reuters that Lula’s election could provide a balancing influence in Latin America.
Lula becomes the first candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy in the 1980s to win after finishing second in the first round. His campaign promised measures such as free weekend public transport and a 15 percent increase in an existing welfare program, pending congressional approval.
The new legislature is expected to be more conservative, with Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party and allies projected to hold a majority in both chambers. Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said this could limit the president’s influence over legislative matters.
Economically, the government forecasts modest growth of about 2.3 percent for the next year, while public debt remains above 80 percent of GDP. Analysts noted that high interest costs are a major driver of debt expansion. Lula introduced a provisional ban on online betting and a debt-relief program during the campaign, while right-wing legislators are likely to pursue business-friendly reforms.