Brasilia: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth presidential term, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in runoff election. However, the narrow victory leaves the country deeply divided and Lula facing a conservative Congress that could complicate his legislative agenda.
Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court announced that Lula received 51.79 percent of valid votes, compared with Bolsonaro’s 48.21 percent. Bolsonaro refused to accept the result and called for the election to be annulled, questioning the extension of voting hours despite both campaigns having requested additional time at polling stations.
The victory marks a significant comeback for Lula, who trailed Bolsonaro in the first round on October 4. The veteran Workers’ Party leader revitalized his campaign through public rallies and an extensive social media push, securing enough support to reverse the earlier outcome.
Despite the win, Lula faces considerable challenges in Congress, where Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party made significant gains. The conservative legislature could make it harder for the president to advance economic, social and environmental policies during his upcoming term.
Relations with the United States could also prove difficult under President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro had pledged closer alignment with Washington, while Lula has emphasized Brazil’s independence in foreign affairs and maintained stronger ties with China. Environmental policy is another point of difference, particularly over protecting the Amazon rainforest from deforestation and the expansion of mining and agribusiness.
Lula’s new term is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2027. With nearly half of voters backing Bolsonaro, the president faces pressure to bridge political divisions and negotiate with opposition lawmakers to deliver on campaign promises.
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