With almost all votes counted on Sunday, Lula secured 51.76% of the vote in the second round of elections in Latin America’s largest democracy, while Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro, received 48.24%.
Lula’s victory defied the predictions of several election surveys, which had given Bolsonaro a narrow lead. In the first round of voting earlier this month, Flavio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator, had secured an advantage of nearly two percentage points.
Following his defeat, Flavio Bolsonaro refused to accept the results. Describing the outcome as “impossible” and “incomprehensible”, he rejected Lula’s victory and demanded that the election results be annulled.
With these latest remarks, Flavio has followed the path of his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who also refused to acknowledge his defeat in the 2022 election.
Lula, a left-wing leader, previously served as Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010. Four years ago, he returned to the presidency for a third term after defeating Jair Bolsonaro.
However, Sunday’s voting process was surrounded by controversy. A Supreme Court judge ordered polling hours to be extended by two hours as the scheduled closing time approached.
The decision followed complaints from Lula’s alliance about problems with public transportation in several states. Many Brazilian citizens depend on public transport to reach polling stations, making the reported disruptions a concern during the voting process.
Lula’s re-election has also reversed a broader electoral trend of right-wing victories across Latin America, dealing a setback to US ambitions to expand its influence in the region.
A former metalworker, Lula has been the most prominent figure on Brazil’s political left since he first contested the presidential election in 1989. Despite his latest victory, he now faces some of the most challenging circumstances of his political career.
His new term is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2027, amid major domestic and international challenges, including the displeasure of US President Donald Trump.
Trump did not directly endorse Lula’s rival, Flavio Bolsonaro. However, he supported right-wing candidates who won presidential elections in Colombia and Honduras. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that the US administration would have preferred to see a conservative leader in power in Brazil, a country with a population of 213 million.
The White House considers Latin America a region of US influence. The Trump administration wants leaders in the region who support its policies on issues including defence, security and trade.
Former trade union leader Lula has criticised Trump’s aggressive foreign policy, while Bolsonaro had promised to establish close relations with his ideological ally in the White House.
Since last year, the United States has imposed trade tariffs and other restrictions on Brazil.
After an initially subdued election campaign, Lula announced several relief measures following the first-round results. These included debt forgiveness, free public transportation on weekends and financial assistance for poor students.
The opposition accused incumbent President Lula of attempting to buy votes, arguing that the measures would further worsen the government’s financial position.
Flavio Bolsonaro’s father, Jair Bolsonaro, was found guilty last year of plotting a coup following his unsuccessful attempt to secure re-election in the 2022 presidential election.
Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. He is being kept at home for health reasons.
During his campaign, Flavio Bolsonaro promised tough action against organised crime, along with cuts in government spending and lower taxes.
Following the first-round results, investors welcomed the prospect of Bolsonaro’s business-friendly policies.
Despite the challenges facing him, Lula’s victory has further strengthened his position among the most influential politicians in modern Brazilian history. After spending nearly five decades in public life, the win marks a significant achievement in his political career.
Lula, who previously worked in the metal industry, first led Brazil from 2003 to 2010. During that period, he introduced several welfare schemes that helped reduce poverty.
He was later jailed on corruption charges but was subsequently released. Four years ago, he returned to active politics by defeating the then-president, Jair Bolsonaro.
Flavio Bolsonaro’s defeat represents a setback for the hardline populist political movement launched by his father nearly a decade ago. That movement has since become the most influential faction of the right wing in Brazilian politics.
Brazil has substantial oil reserves and the world’s second-largest reserves of rare earth minerals. It is also the only major country in South America that does not have a right-wing leader in power. Lula is widely regarded as a leader with a friendly approach towards China.
Flavio Bolsonaro had promised to bring Brazil closer to the United States, while Lula had warned Washington against interfering in the election. He emphasised that Brazil would “never be anyone’s follower”.
Although Lula’s victory may disappoint the White House, it has been welcomed by environmental protection advocates. They had feared that a Bolsonaro victory would strengthen the influence of Brazil’s powerful agribusiness and mining sectors.
Environmental campaigners pointed to record incidents of deforestation and forest fires in the Amazon during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency. They argued that Flavio Bolsonaro’s rise to power could have led to a relaxation of environmental regulations, potentially exposing the vital ecosystem to further damage.
In the election, Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party secured the largest lead. Despite this, Lula’s Workers’ Party succeeded in organising large-scale rallies between the first and second rounds of voting, demonstrating its strong grassroots support.
Before the election, Lula described the contest as a “decisive turning point for Brazil”.
He promised to bridge the divide between Brazil’s opposing political ideologies through a new approach to governance. During a live broadcast on WhatsApp before the election, he said the country would never be the same again.
However, Lula offered few details about what this new approach would entail. He stressed that he would continue fighting for a fairer country where everyone had opportunities and government policies reflected the needs of the public.
With substantial opposition in parliament, that task could prove considerably more difficult than during his previous three terms. By the end of his fourth term, Lula will be 85 years old.
About The Author
Comment List