Lula Wins Historic Fourth Term in Brazil as Bolsonaro Rejects Runoff Result

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has won a historic fourth term in office, defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Sunday's presidential runoff. With all votes counted, the country's electoral court announced that Lula took 51.8 percent of the vote, leading his rival by nearly 4.4 million votes. Supporters poured into the streets of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to celebrate, while Lula thanked voters and promised to govern for all Brazilians, whatever their background or beliefs.
The result did not bring a concession. Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, refused to accept the outcome and said he would ask for the result to be annulled. He pointed to a last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours at some polling places after transport problems and severe weather disrupted the day. Election experts cited in reporting noted that the extension was authorised, and a successful legal challenge looks unlikely.
Lula's win breaks a recent regional trend of victories for right-wing candidates allied with US President Donald Trump, and it keeps Latin America's largest economy on a course of defending its sovereignty despite US tariffs of 37.5 percent on Brazilian goods. The veteran leader, who turns 81 on Tuesday, is due to begin his new term in January 2027, facing a divided electorate, a more conservative Congress and a cost-of-living squeeze at home.
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