World leaders congratulate Lula on Brazil election victory
World leaders congratulated Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday after his stunning re-election in a runoff against right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, a result that defied polls and halted a conservative wave in Latin America. Left-leaning leaders in the region, including Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum and Cuba, celebrated the victory, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed a "progressive comeback." French President Emmanuel Macron called for strengthening the strategic partnership, and China expressed congratulations, respecting the choice of the Brazilian people. Lula's opponent, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, refused to accept defeat and demanded an annulment, though analysts say his 4-million-vote deficit makes success unlikely. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised the win for democracy, and India's Narendra Modi, current BRICS chair, offered heartiest congratulations.