Brazil's Lula wins fourth presidential term after chaotic election day

Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was elected president for a fourth time on Sunday, following a chaotic election day marked by controversy over public transit disruptions and a Supreme Court decision to extend voting hours by two hours. The absence of public buses in major cities where Lula had strong first-round support, including Salvador de Bahia where he won over 66% of votes, sparked widespread accusations that Mayor Bruno Reis, an ally of Flavio Bolsonaro, sought to suppress voter turnout. The Supreme Court's extension of polling hours drew criticism from Flavio Bolsonaro. The election results were announced Monday, October 26, 2026, with Lula's victory confirmed after a tense campaign season. The transit issues and voting extension added to an already heated political atmosphere in the country.