In a stunning turn in the politics of Latin America’s largest democracy, incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won the hard-fought presidential election, defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, to secure a fourth term. According to official results from the Superior Electoral Court, Lula polled 51.8 percent of the votes against Bolsonaro’s 48.2 percent, winning by a margin of nearly 4 million votes. This is reportedly the first time since the 1980s that a candidate trailing in the first round has won the final runoff. In the first round, Bolsonaro led with 47 percent to Lula’s 45 percent.
Before the runoff, Lula completely changed his campaign strategy, holding mega rallies under the main slogan “No more Bolsonaro,” expanding his social media campaign and making promises on welfare schemes and public transport. After the results, supporters held massive celebrations in major cities including Sao Paulo. Lula was previously in power from 2003 to 2010 and returned to office in 2023 after overcoming legal troubles, with reduced inflation and increased employment during his tenure helping him in this election.
However, Lula’s fourth term, which begins on January 5, is unlikely to be easy. Bolsonaro’s conservative right-wing bloc has gained significant strength in parliament, and the rising fiscal deficit, cost of living and government debt are major challenges ahead. Even so, Lula’s victory has been seen as a game changer in checking the influence of the right wing in the Latin American region.