Lula wins fourth term in Brazil after last-minute poll extension

Brazilian politics reached a historic milestone on Sunday as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term as president. The left-wing leader secured 51.79% of the national vote in the runoff election held on 26 October 2026. His right-wing opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, received 48.21%, resulting in a margin of victory of 4.4 million votes.

The outcome marked a dramatic reversal from the first round of voting on 4 October, when Flávio Bolsonaro held a lead of two percentage points. At that time, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro had captured 47% of the vote against Lula’s 45%. Lula’s campaign gained momentum in the weeks following the initial round, focusing on increasing voter participation. The strategy proved effective, as abstention rates dropped significantly between the two rounds, marking the largest decline in non-voters between election stages since 1989.

The final vote count was preceded by an unusual procedural change. The Brazilian Supreme Court extended the closing time for polling stations by two hours on Sunday evening. Both campaigns requested the extension for different logistical reasons. Lula’s team argued that a shortage of buses in São Paulo and Bahia prevented voters from reaching their locations. Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign cited heavy rainfall in southern regions and parts of São Paulo. The decision was issued by the court just as stations were scheduled to close, causing some locations that had already shut down to remain closed.

Supreme Court President Kassio Nunes Marques, who was appointed by the older Bolsonaro, confirmed Lula’s victory. He stated that the extension did not compromise the integrity of the count or the electoral process. Despite this legal confirmation, Flávio Bolsonaro has refused to recognize the result. He called the victory "inexplicable" and "impossible," arguing that the election should be annulled. Electoral law experts, including Fernando Neisser from the Institute of Lawyers of São Paulo, described the chances of annulment as remote given the large margin of victory and fixed constitutional election dates.

Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, addressed celebratory crowds in São Paulo. He described the election as a defeat for "negativity, lies" and declared that his new term would be the best in the country's history. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin told Lula that he had "saved Brazilian democracy" for the second time. In Brasilia, supporters of the losing candidate left the venue where Flávio Bolsonaro had been watching the results, while the former president himself was poised to give a speech before announcing his intent to challenge the outcome.

This victory makes Lula the first Brazilian president since the return to civilian rule in 1985 to win an election after losing the first round. He will serve a term lasting until 2030, which is set to begin on 5 January. The incoming administration faces domestic and international challenges, including ongoing tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump has supported Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for a convicted coup attempt. Flávio Bolsonaro met with Trump at the White House earlier this year to seek support for his campaign.

Lula used his victory speech to address the relationship with Washington. Referencing Trump's concept of the "Donroe Doctrine," which seeks US dominance in the Western Hemisphere, Lula insisted that Brazil "will not accept being anyone's backyard." The result contrasts with recent electoral trends in other Latin American nations, where voters in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia have moved toward right-wing leadership. International leaders have already sent congratulations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said "democracy and multilateralism" had won. French President Emmanuel Macron called for cooperation between the two nations to serve a more just world.