Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has secured a dramatic comeback victory over right-wing sInácio Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, to win an unprecedented fourth presidential term in Latin America's largest country. According to the Superior Electoral Court, Lula received 51.8 per cent of the valid votes, while Bolsonaro secured 48.2 per cent.
The result marks another major political comeback for the veteran left-wing leader, who faced a tough challenge after finishing behind Bolsonaro in the first round of voting. Lula's victory also comes amid growing tensions over US influence in Latin America, with the Brazilian president having repeatedly criticised US President Donald Trump.
Bolsonaro, however, refused to concede defeat and called for the election results to be annulled. He questioned the decision to extend voting hours, describing it as unprecedented, although both candidates had reportedly made the request. He claimed the results were impossible to accept.
Following the confirmation of Lula's victory, celebrations broke out among his supporters. A video released by his campaign showed the president celebrating with First Lady Rosangela da Silva and political allies. Wearing red star-shaped glasses, Lula kissed his wife as supporters gathered along Sao Paulo's main avenue to celebrate the result.
Lula's victory marks another remarkable chapter in a political career spanning nearly five decades. Born into poverty in northeastern Brazil, he rose from working as a metalworker and trade union leader to become one of the most influential figures on the Latin American left.
He first served as Brazil's president from 2003 to 2011, introducing social welfare programmes that helped millions of people escape poverty and hunger. However, his political career suffered a major setback when he was jailed from 2018 to 2019 over corruption convictions that were later overturned, allowing him to return to electoral politics.
Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential election and returned to office. His latest victory follows another difficult campaign in which voters expressed concerns over rising living costs, public safety and the performance of his Workers' Party.
Despite a decline in inflation and unemployment during his third term, many Brazilians continued to struggle with the cost of living. His social welfare policies also became a major point of debate during the campaign.
After losing the first round to Flavio Bolsonaro, Lula's supporters launched an intensive campaign to mobilise voters. Rallies under the slogan "Never Again Bolsonaro" sought to remind voters of Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, policies affecting the Amazon rainforest and cuts to public programmes.
Lula also changed his campaign strategy by increasing his presence on social media, recording informal videos and engaging directly with voters. His supporters worked to persuade family members, friends and neighbours to vote, particularly amid concerns over voter abstention.
Lula's campaign combined social welfare commitments with promises to improve conditions for workers and low-income households. Among the proposals was free public transport nationwide on weekends, which would require formal submission to Congress.
He also pledged a 15 per cent increase in his flagship welfare programme, a measure that was already being implemented, according to the campaign account.
Another key part of his agenda was a constitutional amendment that became one of Brazil's most significant labour reforms in decades and received broad support in Congress.
Relations with the United States also featured prominently in the campaign. Lula positioned his candidacy around national sovereignty amid commercial and diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration.
He urged voters to choose a government that would defend Brazil's independence and criticised his rival over what he described as an alignment with Washington.
The outcome is also significant for Latin American politics, leaving Brazil and Mexico, the region's two most populous countries, under left-of-centre leadership.
Despite his electoral victory, Lula faces significant challenges during his fourth term. Brazil has elected its most conservative Congress since the country returned to democracy in the 1980s, potentially limiting the president's ability to advance his legislative agenda.
Bolsonaro's Liberal Party and its allies are projected to control more than 280 seats in the lower house and up to 50 seats in the Senate, giving conservative forces considerable influence over legislation.
Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, told Reuters that Lula could become a lame-duck president from the beginning of his new term.
Stuenkel said the incoming legislature could further strengthen Congress at the expense of the presidency, making it harder for Lula to secure support for his policies. He also pointed to potential challenges involving Supreme Court nominations, coalition management and the possibility of impeachment proceedings.
Lula's age is another factor likely to draw attention during his new term. Born on October 27, 1945, he turns 81 on Tuesday and will be 85 by the end of his new term in 2030. His victory also leaves Brazil deeply divided, with nearly half of voters backing his rival and demanding political change.
The cost of living remains a major concern for many households. Tereza Cristina Ramos, a 68-year-old retiree who voted in Rio de Janeiro, told AFP that financial pressures had made even basic food items unaffordable for many people.
"We're in a deep hole, things are dire. People can barely afford to eat -- buying meat is out of the question," she said.
Public security will also remain a major test for Lula's administration. Brazil continues to face challenges from organised criminal groups and armed factions that operate in working-class neighbourhoods and contribute to insecurity.
While Lula's fourth presidential term represents a significant personal and political comeback, his ability to address economic pressures, crime and a deeply divided political landscape will shape the next phase of his leadership.