Lula da Silva wins fourth term in Brazil presidential election runoff

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defeated right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a presidential runoff election on Sunday to win a fourth term in power. France 24, the South China Morning Post, and the Guardian all reported that the country electoral court announced Lula da Silva had won the runoff vote. Outlets reported slightly different vote totals. France 24 reported that Lula da Silva received 51.7 percent of the vote compared to 48.2 percent for Bolsonaro, while the South China Morning Post said he won 51.76 percent to 48.24 percent with 99.83 percent of votes counted. The Guardian reported that Lula da Silva received 51.75 percent of the vote to Bolsonaro 48.25 percent with nearly 99 percent counted. [1][3][4]

The victory marked a comeback for the incumbent after he trailed in the first round of voting. DW reported that Bolsonaro led Lula da Silva by more than 2.2 million votes in the initial round earlier in the month, while earlier reporting by FTMQ News noted that Bolsonaro held a lead of nearly two percentage points. As votes were counted on Sunday, rte.ie reported that Lula da Silva took the lead as ballots arrived from left-leaning states in his northeastern stronghold. The South China Morning Post noted that no candidate who trailed after the first round had ever won a runoff election in Brazil. [2][3][5][16]

Lula da Silva is a trade unionist and former metalworker who served as president from 2003 to 2011 before taking office again in 2023. His opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, is a lawyer, politician, and senator for Rio de Janeiro. He is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. [1][2][12][13]

The election outcome keeps China top overseas investment destination in the hands of a leftist leader, according to the South China Morning Post. DW reported before the election that the stakes centered on whether Brazil would shift to the right or maintain its leftist government. [2][3]