Lula da Silva wins Brazil's election, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro for fourth term

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won re-election on October 25, 2026, defeating right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro with 51.75% of the vote to 48.25%, securing an unprecedented fourth term. Lula's victory came despite trailing Bolsonaro in the first round and facing a tense campaign marked by a last-minute Supreme Court ruling that extended voting by two hours. The win blocks a conservative shift across Latin America backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The 81-year-old leftist now leads a deeply divided nation, facing a hostile right-dominated Congress and economic slowdown concerns. His comeback follows a 2022 return after corruption charges were annulled, with supporters citing his social welfare legacy.