Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has won a historic fourth non-consecutive term after defeating right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the country’s presidential runoff election held on Sunday (October 25).
Brazil’s electoral authority confirmed the victory, with Lula securing approximately 51.8% of valid votes against Bolsonaro’s 48.2%, according to foreign media reports.
The 80-year-old left-wing leader defeated Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom Lula had beaten in the 2022 presidential election.
The victory marks the first time in Brazil’s history that a presidential candidate who finished second in the first round has gone on to win the runoff election.
Lula previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 before returning to office in January 2023.
The election was marked by controversy after Brazil’s Supreme Court allowed voting to be extended by two hours at some polling stations following complaints over transportation disruptions and severe weather.
Flavio Bolsonaro has refused to concede defeat and said he would seek to annul the election result, challenging the decision to extend voting hours.
Lula is scheduled to begin his fourth presidential term on January 5, 2027.
