Lula Wins Brazil Election, Halts Regional Rightward Shift

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a fourth term in the October 25 runoff election, receiving 64,256,232 votes (51.79% of valid votes) against 59,826,041 (48.21%) for Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL).

Lula, of the Workers’ Party (PT), came from behind after losing the October 4 first round to Bolsonaro. Abstention in that round reached a record 21.08%, marking the first time since 1989 that a candidate won the runoff after losing the first round.

Lula’s victory interrupted a regional shift to the right, as right or center-right parties had won the previous seven presidential elections in Latin America. Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, and Guatemala now remain as the region’s countries with elected leftist governments.

Flávio Bolsonaro, who ran in place of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, pledged to formalize ties with President Donald Trump’s ‘Shield of the Americas’ initiative. Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

Transportation disruptions led to a disputed extension of voting hours. The Supreme Federal Court (STF) ordered free public transportation, but Salvador’s municipal mobility department kept about half the city’s buses in their garages, leading to crowded stations. A court later ordered the restoration of the full fleet.

Both campaigns requested voting extensions due to transportation issues. Lula’s coalition petitioned the STF over bus shortages in Salvador, while Flávio’s campaign asked the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to extend voting in São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. Justice Cristiano Zanin, a former personal lawyer of Lula and appointee to the court, extended voting nationwide until 7 p.m.

Flávio refused to concede, arguing the extension created unequal voting conditions. He also accused the government of abusing political and economic power and using state resources to favor Lula. Trump called the election ‘very strange’ and suggested it looked like ‘another rigged election.’

Flávio crossed into Argentina and then boarded a private jet with his family, claiming he left to escape political persecution and ‘a regime of exception.’ Lula called his departure ‘a shameful act.’ Brazil and the U.S. have an extradition treaty.

Flávio declared himself ‘the true president-elect of Brazil’ in a letter after arriving in the U.S. He denied fleeing, stating he left to avoid a ‘regime of exception.’ His departure divided the PL, with some members unaware of his plans.