Brazil’s left-wing leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made a remarkable comeback by winning the presidential election. At 80 years old, Lula is set to become president for the fourth time. In the runoff election, he narrowly defeated his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro. Almost all votes counted from Sunday’s election in Brazil, Latin America’s largest democracy, show Lula securing 51.76 percent of the vote. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro who is currently imprisoned, received 48.24 percent.
Lula’s victory defied many pre-election polls that had predicted a slight lead for Flávio Bolsonaro. In the first round held earlier this month, the 45-year-old senator Flávio had led Lula by nearly two percentage points. Lula previously served as Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010. However, Sunday’s voting process was not without controversy. As polling stations approached closing time, a Supreme Court justice ordered a two-hour extension to the voting period.
Concerns had been raised about potential voter turnout issues due to many Brazilians relying on public transportation to reach polling stations. Lula’s reelection challenges the recent streak of right-wing electoral successes in Latin America and is expected to weaken ambitions to expand U.S. influence in the region. Lula’s new term will begin on January 5, during which he will face numerous domestic and international challenges.
Lula is known as a leader with a friendly stance toward China. In contrast, Flávio Bolsonaro pledged to strengthen Brazil’s ties with the United States. Lula had also warned the United States against interfering in Brazil’s elections, stating clearly, “Brazil will never be anyone’s satellite.” While Lula’s win may disappoint the White House, environmental activists have welcomed the outcome. Prior to the vote, Lula described this election as a “decisive turning point for Brazil.”
