Lula Claims Fourth Presidential Term in Brazil

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term as president of Brazil. The left-wing leader secured 51.79% of the vote in the runoff held on Sunday. His challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, received 48.21% of the vote. The margin of victory was 4.4 million votes.

Lula becomes the first president in Brazilian history to hold a fourth term. He serves a non-consecutive mandate that will run until 2030. The Supreme Court confirmed the result on Sunday. Court President Kassio Nunes Marques stated that the voting process remained intact despite recent extensions.

The path to this victory began on 4 October, when Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round of voting. He captured 47% of the vote compared to Lula's 45%. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. His father, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence, campaigned heavily for his son.

Lula’s campaign shifted its strategy after the first round. The team focused on increasing voter turnout among the 33 million people who abstained in the initial vote. This effort resulted in the lowest drop in abstention rates between rounds since 1989. The strategy helped Lula close the gap in the final weeks.

Polling stations closed two hours later than scheduled on Sunday evening. The Supreme Court approved the extension after both campaigns made separate requests. Lula’s team cited a lack of buses in São Paulo and Bahia that prevented voters from reaching their stations. Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign pointed to heavy rain in southern Brazil and São Paulo.

The decision came just as polls were due to close. Some stations had already shut down and could not reopen. The extension added complexity to the counting process, though officials reported no major issues.

Flávio Bolsonaro refused to concede the defeat. He called the result inexplicable and impossible. He argued that the vote should be annulled. Jair Bolsonaro, who had prepared a victory speech, echoed his son's stance. Legal experts, however, consider annulment unlikely.

Fernando Neisser of the Institute of Lawyers of São Paulo noted the large margin of victory. He said the legal case would depend on the specific arguments his lawyers present. Alberto Rollo added that the election dates are fixed by the constitution, making annulment complicated.

Lula celebrated in the streets of São Paulo after the count was finalized. He told supporters that his fourth term would be the best in the country's history. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin joined the celebration, stating that Lula had saved Brazilian democracy for the second time.

The new term begins on 5 January. Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, faces challenges from the United States. US President Donald Trump has supported the Bolsonaro family. Lula stated during his victory speech that Brazil will not accept being anyone's backyard. Other world leaders, including those from Europe and South Africa, have sent congratulations.