Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured an unprecedented victory in the recently concluded Brazil presidential election, marking his fourth term as the country’s leader. Elected president for the record fourth time, Lula has cemented his place as one of the world’s longest-serving democratically elected leaders.
Lula previously served two terms as president from January 2003 to December 2010, and again from January 2023. He came from behind to win Brazil’s runoff election, defying predictions that the 80-year-old had finally reached the end of his extraordinary career.
Lula’s Surprise Comeback
Lula Da Silva became the first presidential candidate in Brazil’s modern democratic history to lose the first round of voting but win the runoff. Lula won 51.8 per cent of the vote against 48.2 per cent for far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro with over 99 per cent of the votes counted in the runoff.
This was the second round of the election that concluded on Sunday. In the first round, Flávio received the most votes, 47 per cent, two percentage points more than Lula, equivalent to a difference of 2.2 million votes. On Sunday, in the second round, Lula reversed that result, outpacing his opponent by over four million votes.
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Factors That Worked in Lula’s Favour
One factor was the desire to keep the Bolsonaros out of power. For many Brazilians, the election was more than about keeping da Silva in power, but also about preserving the country’s hard-won democracy, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Lula’s success in persuading millions of Brazilians who skipped the first round to vote for him in the second round was another key element. His Workers’ Party requested an extension of voting on Sunday after reports of reduced bus services for poorer voters.
After the first-round setback, Lula shifted his campaign focus from warnings about US interference to addressing economic frustrations. He promised increased Bolsa FamĂlia payments, a shorter workweek without pay cuts, and debt relief for struggling households.
Lula also toughened his stance on crime, supporting the prosecution of 16-year-olds as adults for serious crimes, a departure from his party’s traditional position. His campaign gained momentum after the first-round defeat, driven by street demonstrations and a strong social media push.
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Implications of Lula’s Win
Lula’s victory sets the stage for renewed tensions with Washington. Brazil’s decision to stick with the left, amidst conservative wins in other Latin American countries, denies President Trump a key ally in the region, a major source of critical minerals.
Trump has praised Bolsonaro and clashed with da Silva over trade, Brazil’s prosecution of the former president, and alleged US interference. The disputes led to tariffs and visa issues, though trade negotiations continue.
Lula will begin his fourth term on January 5 at the age of 81, a comeback that highlights the resilience of his political career and the complexities of Brazilian politics.