Lula wins record fourth term, beating Flávio Bolsonaro

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came from behind on Sunday, October 25, to defeat right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff and win a fourth, non-consecutive term, Reuters reported, citing the country's electoral authority. Lula took 51.8% of valid votes to Bolsonaro's 48.2%, according to the Superior Electoral Court, CNBC reported. AFP put the official result at 51.75% to 48.25%.reuters.com+2

The win is a first for Brazil. CBS News reported that no candidate who finished second in the first round had gone on to win the presidency since military rule ended in 1985. In the October 4 first round, Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, got 47% to Lula's 45%, a gap of 2.2 million votes. The result also slows a run of right-wing victories in Latin America. Al Jazeera noted that right-wing candidates have recently won presidential races in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador.pbs.org+1

A chaotic election day

The vote was marred by disputes. As polls were closing, Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin extended voting nationwide by two hours, CBS News reported. Both campaigns had asked for extensions. Lula's request followed problems with buses carrying voters in nine states, while Bolsonaro cited heavy rain in the south. In Bahia, at least 75 public buses were kept in municipal garages, and Lula said, "We will not be robbed by mayors, governors or businessmen." CBS also reported that the extension could lead Bolsonaro to take legal action. Bolsonaro ally Nikolas Ferreira said the ruling was meant "to create a narrative," according to AP.news4jax.com+1

The mood at Bolsonaro's campaign headquarters was gloomy, and it was not yet clear whether he would publicly concede, Bahia Notícias reported. His father refused to concede after losing in 2022.bahianoticias.com.br

Comeback built on pocketbook issues

Final polls from Datafolha and Genial/Quaest had shown Bolsonaro at 51% to Lula's 49%, a statistical tie, according to Depor. After the first round, Lula focused on the cost of living. He backed a constitutional amendment, passed this month, that shortens the workweek, and he floated free public transport on weekends, Al Jazeera reported. Bolsonaro's campaign was hurt when he admitted taking about $12 million from former banker Daniel Vorcaro to fund a film about his father, CBS News reported.depor.com+2

A hostile Congress awaits

Lula will have to work with the most right-wing Congress of Brazil's democratic era, and Bolsonaro's Liberal Party made the largest gains in this year's legislative elections, according to the BBC. His new term is set to begin on January 5, 2027. Lula turns 81 on Tuesday, October 27, and will be 85 when the term ends. The BBC also said the result is likely to disappoint the Trump administration, which had wanted a conservative to lead Brazil, while environmentalists will welcome it. Before the vote, Lula called the election "a parting of the waters for Brazil" and promised "a new way of governing."bbc.com