Lula after his victory in Brazil: We will not be anyone's backyard

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a historic fourth term in office on Sunday after defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round of the presidential election. With 99.89 percent of the votes counted, the Superior Electoral Court awarded Lula 51.77 percent of valid ballots, compared to 48.23 percent for his opponent. This result marks the first time in Brazilian history that a president has served four terms. Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, celebrated his victory at the Intercontinental Hotel in São Paulo, declaring that Brazil would not become anyone’s backyard. The incumbent entered the runoff trailing his challenger. In the first round held on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro had led by more than 2.2 million votes, a margin that polls suggested might be insurmountable given the right-wing surge in recent legislative elections. However, Lula mounted a significant comeback, ultimately securing a lead of nearly four percentage points. The final tally represented a difference of over four million votes, with Lula receiving approximately 64.2 million votes against 59.8 million for Bolsonaro. This outcome surpassed the margin by which Lula defeated former President Jair Bolsonaro in 2022. During his acceptance speech, Lula appeared visibly emotional and spoke with a hoarse voice, attributing his condition to the intensity of the campaign. He began by yielding the floor to Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, stating that Alckmin played a crucial role in the victory. Alckmin addressed the crowd, asserting that Lula had saved Brazilian democracy for the second time. Lula then thanked young voters, seniors, and society at large, noting that the election recorded the lowest number of abstentions and null votes in the country’s history. He specifically praised Deputy André Janones for creating the "Army of Lula," a WhatsApp channel that reportedly exceeded ten million users within days. A central theme of Lula’s address was national sovereignty. He recited a verse from the independence hymn, calling for freedom or death for Brazil, before repeating his campaign slogan: "Our country will not be the backyard of anyone." This phrase, previously used in September during a United Nations General Assembly address directed at the United States, framed the election as a choice between respecting the Brazilian flag or aligning with American influence. Lula characterized the contest as a battle between democratic values and authoritarianism, referencing the legal troubles of the Bolsonaro family. Former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup following his defeat in 2022, had not publicly acknowledged the loss immediately after the results were announced. Instead, Flávio Bolsonaro indicated that he would challenge the outcome in court, seeking the annulment of the election based on disputed procedural issues. The voting process itself saw logistical adjustments. Reports indicated problems with public transportation services that affected voter turnout near the end of the day. In response, Justice Cristiano Zanin of the Supreme Federal Court granted a request from the official campaign to extend voting hours by two additional hours, until 7:00 p.m. local time. Despite these disruptions, participation remained high, contributing to the record-low abstention rates cited by Lula. Lula’s political trajectory spans decades. Born in 1945 in Pernambuco, he moved to São Paulo as a child and worked as a machinist before entering politics. He joined the labor movement in São Bernardo do Campo and became president of the local metalworkers' union in 1975, gaining prominence through strikes during the military dictatorship. He co-founded the Workers' Party in 1980. After losing presidential bids in 1989, 1994, and 1998, he won the presidency in 2002. His administrations from 2003 to 2010 focused on social programs such as Bolsa Família, which lifted millions out of poverty. His career faced a major setback when the Operation Car Wash anti-corruption investigation led to his conviction in 2017 for corruption and money laundering. He spent 580 days in prison starting in 2018, which barred him from running in that year’s election. In 2021, the Supreme Federal Court annulled his convictions, ruling that the Curitiba court lacked jurisdiction and that Judge Sergio Moro had been partial in one case. These rulings restored his political rights, allowing him to run again in 2022, where he narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro. Reactions to the result came quickly from regional leaders. Colombian President Gustavo Petro congratulated Lula, stating that the victory halted fascism in Latin America and representing a strategic defeat for forces of darkness. Leaders from Mexico, Cuba, Paraguay, and Bolivia also extended their congratulations. In Colombia, sexologist and television personality Flavia Dos Santos, who holds dual citizenship, posted a video celebrating the win with the message "Brazil belongs to the Brazilians." She shared a photo of herself and her husband displaying their voting certificates and making the hand gesture associated with Lula’s campaign. Lula is scheduled to begin his new four-year term on January 5, 2027. Although he won the presidency, his path forward faces legislative hurdles. The Liberal Party, aligned with the Bolsonaro faction, is expected to hold the largest caucus in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. This configuration suggests that Lula will need to negotiate extensively with opposition groups to advance his agenda, which includes continued focus on social welfare, environmental protection, and diplomatic engagement with partners such as China and the BRICS nations.