Lula wins fourth term as Brazil's presidential race ends in a narrow victory

Brazil’s political history entered a new chapter on Sunday as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claimed a fourth term in office. The result concluded a contentious campaign and marked the first time a president in the country’s modern democratic era won a second round after trailing in the first.

Lula secured 51.79 percent of the total vote, leaving his challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, with 48.21 percent. This margin translated to a difference of 4.4 million votes between the two candidates. The victory ends a period of uncertainty that began when Bolsonaro led the October 4 first round with 47 percent of the vote against Lula’s 45 percent.

The final count was influenced by an unusual decision to extend voting hours by two hours on Sunday evening. The Supreme Court issued the order just as polling stations were preparing to close. Lula’s campaign argued that a shortage of buses in São Paulo and Bahia prevented voters from reaching their polling places. Flávio Bolsonaro’s team cited heavy rain in southern regions and São Paulo as the cause for the delay.

Supreme Court President Kassio Nunes Marques, who was appointed by former president Jair Bolsonaro, confirmed that the extension did not disrupt the electoral count. Despite the procedural changes, experts indicated that the outcome was likely to stand. Fernando Neisser of the Institute of Lawyers of São Paulo noted that annulling the result would be legally difficult given the size of the victory margin. Alberto Rollo, another electoral law expert, pointed out that the constitution fixes election dates, adding complexity to any legal challenge.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro, refused to accept the initial results. He described the outcome as inexplicable and impossible, calling for the vote to be annulled. In contrast, Lula addressed celebratory crowds in São Paulo, declaring the election a defeat for negativity and lies. He stated that his fourth term would be the best in the country's history and emphasized that he would listen more to the Brazilian people.

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin told Lula that he had saved Brazilian democracy for the second time. Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, will begin his new term on January 5, 2026. His previous terms were served from January 2003 to December 2010 and from January 2023 to the present. This win makes him the first president in Brazil to secure a fourth term.

The campaign saw a notable shift in voter participation compared to the first round. On Sunday, abstention rates dropped to their lowest level between rounds since 1989. Lula’s team had focused on boosting turnout after 33 million people failed to vote in the first round. This increase in participation helped close the gap that had favored Bolsonaro earlier in the month.

International reactions to the result have been swift. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that democracy and multilateralism had won. French President Emmanuel Macron said the two nations should work together for a more just world. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it a great victory, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa framed the win as a triumph for the global south. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azin said the region has common enemies and much to gain through cooperation.

The election also took place against the backdrop of tensions with the United States. US President Donald Trump has previously supported Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for a coup attempt. Flávio Bolsonaro met with Trump at the White House earlier this year. In his victory speech, Lula referenced the US desire for dominance in the Western Hemisphere, insisting that Brazil will not accept being anyone's backyard.