After dramatic comeback, Lula wins fourth term in Brazil election despite Bolsonaro challenge

A historic result

Lula’s victory makes him the first Brazilian elected president four times. He previously served two terms from January 2003 to December 2010, then returned to office in January 2023.

The result surprised observers after Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round on 4 October, winning 47% of the vote to Lula’s 45%. Lula’s campaign later focused on turnout, after 33 million people had not voted in the first round.

Dispute over the outcome

Flávio Bolsonaro has refused to accept the result and called for it to be annulled. The article says this reaction was expected by observers, noting that his father had also rejected an election result.

Some Bolsonaro supporters questioned a nationwide two-hour extension of voting ordered by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, alleging bias because he had previously been Lula’s lawyer. The article says the margin between the candidates was 4.4 million votes, making a challenge more difficult.

Celebrations and reactions

Lula celebrated in São Paulo, while Bolsonaro supporters left the Brasília house where their candidate had watched the result. Lula described the win as a “loss for negativity, lies” and said, “long live democracy.” Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin told Lula he had “for the second time, saved Brazilian democracy.” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “The people of Brazil won.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron also sent messages of congratulations.

Markets and challenges ahead

Markets reacted negatively: the Sao Paolo stock exchange opened 15% lower, triggering a brief suspension before recovering slightly. Interest rate futures rose as investors examined Lula’s fiscal plans.

Lula’s term is set to begin on 5 January, amid domestic and international constraints, including hostility from US President Donald Trump. Trump suggested the election had been “rigged”; the article also notes his past support for Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence after a coup-attempt conviction.