Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil’s presidential election on October 25, 2026, securing another term after a narrow victory over right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. According to the final results announced by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court, Lula received 51.79% of the valid votes, compared with 48.21% for Bolsonaro, securing a fourth presidential term over the course of his political career.
The victory follows the first round on October 4, when Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of the incumbent president. Lula managed to reverse the electoral momentum in the runoff, relying on the mobilisation of supporters through social media and public rallies. The result made the contest one of the closest in Brazil’s recent political history.
Flávio Bolsonaro did not immediately concede defeat and called for the election to be annulled, challenging the two-hour extension of voting hours. However, electoral authorities and the country’s highest institutions recognised Lula’s victory. According to available information, Bolsonaro’s allegations of irregularities did not change the officially announced outcome.
Lula, who previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 and returned to office in 2023, campaigned on promises to continue social welfare programmes, reduce poverty and protect the Amazon rainforest. Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, advocated tougher measures to combat crime and cuts in government spending.
Despite his victory, Lula will face significant challenges, including a politically divided country, a conservative-leaning Congress, the high cost of living and demands for greater public security. The election result also means that Brazil will, for now, maintain its current foreign policy direction, with an emphasis on multilateral cooperation and relations with BRICS countries.
