Brazil Election: Lula Defeats Bolsonaro Son in Runoff

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court declared President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the winner of the presidential election on Sunday. Lula secured more than 51 percent of the vote, surpassing right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. The incumbent received over 64 million ballots, while his opponent collected more than 59 million. A margin of more than 4 million votes separated the two candidates when the court called the race shortly after 9:00 p.m. local time.

Lula, who appeared hoarse and coughing at his victory podium, acknowledged the difficulty ahead. He stated that he did not choose the Congress, noting that the people elected it. He pledged to work with that body to pass legislation. The president thanked voters who cast ballots to secure democracy. This victory marks a historic achievement, as no other politician in modern Brazilian history has won a runoff after losing the first round.

Flavio Bolsonaro has not conceded the defeat. He accused the Supreme Court of changing rules by extending voting hours by two hours. The senator said it is impossible to acknowledge the result and announced he would seek to annul the vote. He described the extended hours as unacceptable and a change to the rules mid-game. His stance sets up a likely court battle over the legality of the election process.

The extension of voting hours was requested by both campaigns. Polls remained open until 7:00 p.m. local time due to heavy rains in Bolsonaro’s southern strongholds and reports of suspended public transport. Lula’s allies blamed Bolsonaro’s supporters for reducing bus availability, an action they said aimed to dampen the working-class base. The weather and transit issues contributed to the decision to keep polling stations open longer than expected.

Lula enters his fourth non-consecutive term at age 80. He will be sworn in on January 5, 2027, making him the oldest Brazilian president to take the oath since the return to democracy. The former metalworker union leader campaigned on cost-of-living issues in the weeks following the first round. He championed a constitutional amendment shortening the workweek and proposed free public transport on weekends.

The election result stops a right-wing wave across Latin America. Right-wing leaders have recently won presidential races in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Many of those leaders have enjoyed support from US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., suggested judicial malpractice occurred due to the voting extension. He wrote that the mainstream press remained silent because the extension served the cause.

The Trump White House has supported the Bolsonaro family, imposing 50 percent tariffs on certain Brazilian products last year. These tariffs were part of a push to end the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio Bolsonaro’s father. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup after his 2022 loss. US Representative Ro Khanna urged Trump to respect the results and not undermine Brazil’s elections, noting that people worldwide are fighting back against extremism.