Lula defeats Bolsonaro in historic Brazil runoff election
Brazilian left-wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth presidential term, defeating right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro with 51.74% of the vote in a runoff election. Bolsonaro has announced he will appeal the result. Lula's victory marks a significant comeback after trailing in the first round, a first in Brazilian political history, and halts the advance of Trump-aligned conservatism in Latin America. His win was fueled by a surge in voter turnout, with abstention dropping by two points. The result is seen as positive for minority rights, environmental protection of the Amazon, and social policies. Lula also signaled independence from US influence, stating Brazil will not be anyone's backyard, while Bolsonaro's defeat prevents the country from being led by an evangelical for the first time.