Brazil presidential election 2026: Left-wing leader Lula da Silva wins fourth presidential term, defeats Bolsonaro's son

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth presidential term after defeating his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro in run-off election on Sunday (October25). With 99.77% of the votes counted, the 80-year-old left-wing leader won 51.76% of the valid votes, while Flávio Bolsonaro received 48.24%, according to Brazilian media and polling firm Datafolha.

The result extends his record as one of Brazil's longest-serving presidents. By the end of his new term, he will have spent 16 years in office, the longest period in power by a president in the country’s democratic history.

Lula's victory followed a closely fought campaign dominated by the cost of living, crime and corruption allegations involving both candidates' families and political allies. CNN reported that Lula became the first candidate since Brazil restored direct presidential elections in 1989 to win the presidency after finishing second in the first round.

Cost of living and crime dominate campaign

Lula faced a difficult re-election battle as voters weighed the rising cost of living and crime and security issues. His rival, Bolsonaro, made a tough approach to crime a major part of his campaign and promised to reduce food prices.

The campaign also featured corruption allegations involving people close to both candidates. Lula himself spent more than a year in prison after corruption convictions that were later annulled.

Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, sought to build support among voters who backed his father's political movement. The contest placed Lula's left-wing Workers' Party against a candidate representing Brazil's conservative political camp.

The final hours before Sunday's vote witnessed intense campaigning by both candidates. The polling period was extended by two hours after the candidates made last-minute appeals to electoral authorities.

Lula's return and Brazil's foreign policy

Lula first served as president from 2003 to 2010. He won re-election in 2006 and left office in 2010, when his cabinet minister Dilma Rousseff succeeded him. The later won another term in 2014.

Lula began his political career in the 1970s as a trade union leader before helping establish the Workers' Party. He contested the presidency thrice before winning the election in 2002.

His fourth term is also expected to influence Brazil's foreign policy. CNN reported that the result would keep Latin America's largest country on a more independent foreign-policy course under him. He has emphasised national sovereignty and stronger relations with China and other countries in the Global South.

His approach has also led to tensions with US President Donald Trump's administration over foreign relations and trade policy.