Lula Secures Historic Fourth Term in Brazil in Stunning Political Comeback

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva staged a remarkable political comeback on Sunday, securing an unprecedented fourth presidential term. However, his rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, refused to accept the outcome and vowed to seek the annulment of the election.

Lula’s victory halted a broader conservative shift across Latin America, where countries including Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru have moved towards the right, with support from US President Donald Trump. The veteran left-wing leader, who turns 81 on Tuesday, defied expectations to secure another term in office.

Official results showed Lula winning 51.8 per cent of the vote against Flávio Bolsonaro’s 48.2 per cent, giving the incumbent an advantage of approximately 4.4 million votes. Flávio, a senator and the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, alleged irregularities in the election. His father is serving a 27-year prison sentence following his conviction over an attempted coup after losing the 2022 presidential election.

Sunday’s voting was overshadowed by controversy after Brazil’s Supreme Court extended voting hours by two hours, even as some polling stations had already closed.

The extension followed a request from Lula, who argued that the suspension of bus services in several cities had prevented some voters from reaching polling stations. Flávio Bolsonaro also sought additional voting time in certain regions because of heavy rainfall, but condemned the court’s decision as “unacceptable” and a “dirty trick.”

Speaking briefly in Brasília, an expressionless Flávio declared that he could not accept the outcome.

“It is impossible to recognise the results. I am going to request the annulment of these elections,” he said.

Since Brazil’s return to direct presidential elections in 1989, no candidate who finished second in the first round had gone on to win the runoff.

In his initial remarks following the victory, Lula said his campaign had successfully convinced voters of the importance of participating in the democratic process.

“People went to vote because we managed to convince them that voting was very important for ensuring democracy in the country,” he said.

Celebrations erupted across Brazil following the announcement. Fireworks and vuvuzelas filled the air in Rio de Janeiro, while thousands of supporters dressed in red, the traditional colour of Lula’s Workers’ Party, took to the streets of São Paulo.

Lula’s Political Comeback

Following his setback in the first round, Lula’s campaign intensified its efforts, organising large rallies, promoting the slogan “Never Again Bolsonaro” and overhauling its social media strategy.

Voter abstention also declined, falling from 21 per cent in the first round to 19 per cent in the runoff.

Julio Canelo, a 42-year-old lawyer celebrating in Rio de Janeiro, described Lula’s victory as a triumph for the country’s democratic forces.

“It was the result of the people mobilising, in the streets and online,” he told AFP.

The campaign also featured an intense battle across social media platforms, drawing scrutiny towards Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Lula’s campaign accused the company of favouring his opponent through alleged algorithmic manipulation.

Meta rejected the accusation but acknowledged that technical errors had resulted in the mistaken deactivation of some advertisements from Lula’s campaign.

Following his victory, Lula renewed calls for greater oversight of social media companies.

“We are going to have to regulate them,” he said.

The bitter campaign, marked by scandals, personal attacks and competing accusations, exposed the deep political divisions that have shaped Brazil over the past decade.

A Deeply Divided Nation

Despite his victory, Lula begins his fourth term facing a country in which nearly half of voters supported his opponent, reflecting widespread demands for political change.

Born into poverty, Lula rose to power in 2003 and won re-election in 2006. He returned to the presidency in 2022 after a corruption scandal had led to his imprisonment for more than 18 months. The charges were subsequently annulled on procedural grounds.

During his third term, Lula oversaw declining inflation and unemployment while helping millions of Brazilians escape hunger. Nevertheless, persistent concerns over living costs and crime weighed on public sentiment.

Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, sought to distinguish himself from his father by presenting a more moderate and approachable image. His campaign attracted conservative voters as well as those seeking an alternative to the incumbent.

Tereza Cristina Ramos, a 68-year-old retiree who voted in Rio de Janeiro, expressed frustration over the country's economic difficulties.

“We're in a deep hole, things are dire. People can barely afford to eat — buying meat is out of the question,” she said.

Lula, already among the world's oldest national leaders, will be 85 by the end of his new term in 2030. He will also have to contend with a Congress dominated by right-wing lawmakers, potentially complicating his legislative agenda.

During the campaign, Lula placed national sovereignty at the centre of his message, particularly in response to commercial and diplomatic pressure from the United States under Trump.

“This country will not accept being anyone's backyard,” Lula declared on Sunday.

His victory drew congratulations from several regional leaders, including Chilean President José Antonio Kast and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, both of whom maintain close ties with Trump.

Mexico's left-wing President Claudia Sheinbaum also congratulated Brazil, writing on X: “Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won.”