Lula reverses first-round defeat to win Brazil’s presidential runoff
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential runoff after trailing him in the first round. The completed count gave Lula a clear lead, while Bolsonaro disputed an extension of polling and sought annulment. Living costs and security dominated the campaign, and Lula acknowledged the challenge of governing with a right-leaning Congress.
Geopolitics··Midday
The completed count confirms Lula’s lead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the 25 October presidential runoff against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The completed count reported by the electoral court gave Lula 51.8 per cent and a lead of approximately 4.4 million votes. He had already taken the lead in totals announced while ballots were still being counted. The victory secures his fourth presidential election win after he trailed Bolsonaro in the opening round. That first round had given Lula 45 per cent against Bolsonaro’s 47 per cent.[1], [2]
Both campaigns sought extra voting time
Bolsonaro rejected the outcome and sought annulment, objecting to Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin’s decision to extend voting by two hours. Both campaigns had requested extra time. Lula’s side cited transport problems in São Paulo and Salvador, while Bolsonaro’s campaign pointed to heavy rain in southern strongholds. At some polling places, staff had left or machines had been switched off before the extension could be implemented. The number of stations that remained open was unclear. The extension also delayed the count by two hours.[1], [2]
Living costs shaped the campaign
Lula reorganized his campaign after the first round and emphasized help with small-business debt, a shorter working week and a proposal for free weekend public transport. Bolsonaro campaigned on tougher action against crime and lower food costs. After the result, Lula thanked supporters and promised respect for Brazilians of different backgrounds. He also acknowledged that he would have to work with a Congress in which the right had strengthened its position. His rival is the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, whom Lula defeated in the previous presidential contest.[1], [2]
