Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won Brazil’s presidential election, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely fought runoff and securing a fourth, non-consecutive term in office.
The 80-year-old left-wing politician received approximately 51.8% of the vote, compared with 48.2% for Bolsonaro, giving him a lead of nearly 4.4 million votes. Brazil’s electoral court confirmed the result after all votes had been counted.
Lula’s new term will begin on January 5, 2027. Supporters gathered in the streets to celebrate following the announcement.
Bolsonaro, 45, is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who lost his re-election bid against Lula in 2022. He had finished ahead of Lula in the first round of voting earlier this month, but neither candidate secured enough support to win outright.
The contest highlighted the sharp political divide between the two candidates. Lula has frequently criticised US president Donald Trump, while Bolsonaro is a right-wing politician who supports him.
Voting hours were extended by two hours during the election after transport problems and heavy rain affected parts of Brazil.
Lula also received public backing from prominent Brazilian performers during his campaign, including Anitta, Luísa Sonza, Ivete Sangalo, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso. Actor Wagner Moura recorded a campaign video in support of the president.
International figures including Madonna, Bella Hadid, The Strokes, Roger Waters, Tom Morello and Bring Me the Horizon singer Oliver Sykes also expressed support for Lula ahead of the vote.
