Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won re-election, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in a closely contested presidential runoff election.
The 80-year-old leader secured 51.79 per cent of the valid votes, amounting to 64.26 million votes, against Flávio Bolsonaro’s 48.21 per cent, representing approximately 59.83 million votes, according to Brazil’s electoral authority.
Lula’s victory, announced on Sunday, October 25, 2026, secures him a fourth, non-consecutive term as president and marks a historic comeback after he finished behind Bolsonaro in the first round of voting earlier this month.
The election was closely watched as a contest between Lula’s left-wing Workers’ Party and Flávio Bolsonaro’s right-wing Liberal Party. The campaign focused on issues including the cost of living, public security, economic policy and Brazil’s national sovereignty.
Following the announcement of the results, Lula celebrated with supporters and pledged to govern for all Brazilians, regardless of their political affiliations.
Flávio Bolsonaro, meanwhile, rejected the result and called for the election to be annulled, citing concerns surrounding events on election day. However, the electoral authority confirmed Lula’s victory.
Lula previously governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010 before returning to office in January 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential election.
His latest victory extends his political career and ensures the continuation of his administration’s policies in Latin America’s largest economy.
