Lula da Silva wins fourth term in Brazil as Bolsonaro rejects defeat

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known for his support for Palestine, won the presidential runoff with about 51.8% of the vote, while his rival Flavio Bolsonaro refused to accept the result.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Sunday’s presidential runoff on October 25, securing a fourth term in office, while his right-wing rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, refused to acknowledge his defeat.

According to data from the Superior Electoral Court, Lula received about 51.8% of the valid votes after nearly all ballots had been counted, equivalent to 64.3 million votes, compared with 48.2%, or 59.8 million votes, for Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Lula’s margin was approximately 4.4 million votes.

Bolsonaro had led the first round on October 4 with 47% of the vote, compared with 45% for Lula. Lula thus became the first candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy to win the presidency after finishing second in the first round.

Support for Palestine

Lula is known for his support for the Palestinian cause and his sharp criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza. In previous remarks, he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is committing genocide against women and children,” adding: “This is a historical fact.”

In February 2024, Israel declared Lula “persona non grata” after he compared the war in Gaza with the Nazi Holocaust. In July 2025, Brazil also announced its intention to join South Africa’s case against Israel before the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide.

“We will not accept being anyone’s backyard”

Addressing his supporters in São Paulo, Lula said the election result showed that Brazil “will not accept being anyone’s backyard,” adding: “Once we win the election, we no longer have opponents. I must govern for 215 million Brazilians.”

Lula, who turns 81 on October 27, pledged to deliver “the best presidential term in the country’s history,” stressing that he would not seek another term. He then went to Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, where thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate.

Bolsonaro calls for election cancellation

Flavio Bolsonaro, meanwhile, said that “it is impossible to recognize the election result” under the circumstances, announcing that he would ask the judiciary to annul it. He also protested the decision by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, Lula’s former lawyer, to extend voting by two hours at polling stations that had not yet closed.

Crowds on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo

Experts in electoral law believe the chances of annulling the election are slim. Judges on the Superior Electoral Court and the Supreme Court acknowledged failures but ruled out canceling the presidential election result.

Lula received congratulations from several world leaders, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. His new term is set to begin on January 5, 2027.

Lula da Silva wins fourth term in Brazil as Bolsonaro rejects defeat