Brazil’s left-wing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, won a fourth term on Sunday, defeating conservative challenger Flavio Bolsonaro after a close race and reversing a rightward shift in South American politics.
Mr. Lula took just over 51% of the vote in the weekend’s runoff, winning about 4 million more votes than Mr. Bolsonaro. Brazilians went to the polls earlier this month, but neither candidate secured the majority of the electorate.
The victory marks Mr. Lula’s fourth presidential victory after serving two terms as president from 2003 to 2010 before returning to office in 2023.
People were interested in these podcasts
Mr. Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, technically won the first round after taking 47% of the vote, compared to Mr. Lula’s 45%.
Mr. Bolsonaro has taken the loss hard, refusing to publicly recognize Mr. Lula’s victory and calling for the results to be annulled.
Mr. Lula’s victory over Brazil’s resurgent right wing ends a conservative winning streak on the continent
Driven mostly by frustration at rising violent crime, voters have handed election victories to conservative candidates in Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador and Peru who have promised to crack down on criminals and deliver economic advancement.
The victories have also been driven, in part, by President Trump, who has offered high-profile endorsements, as well as military and economic cooperation with the U.S.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.