World reacts to Lula’s victory in Brazil’s presidential election

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secured an unprecedented fourth term in office on Sunday, October 25, after defeating right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a decisive runoff election. Official results showed Lula capturing 51.76 percent of the vote compared to 48.24 percent for his opponent, a margin of approximately 4.4 million votes. The victory allowed the 80-year-old leftist leader to defy pre-election projections that predicted a continued rightward shift across Latin America. However, the outcome was immediately contested by Bolsonaro, who vowed to seek the annulment of the vote, citing procedural irregularities regarding the timing of the polls. The election process was marred by confusion following a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin that extended voting hours by two hours. Both candidates had requested additional time, though for different reasons. Lula complained that public buses had been removed from circulation in several cities, preventing voters from reaching polling stations. Bolsonaro cited heavy rainfall in certain regions. Despite these requests, Bolsonaro characterized the extension as an "unacceptable" and "dirty trick." In a brief speech in Brasilia, the senator stated it was impossible to recognize the results and declared his intention to request the cancellation of the election. He noted that no candidate who lost the first round has successfully won the second round in Brazil since 1989, the year of the first direct election following the military dictatorship. Reactions to the result were swift and widespread, with international leaders expressing congratulations or concern depending on their political alignment. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that democracy and multilateralism had prevailed in Brazil. She emphasized the strength of the partnership between Europe and Brazil, stating that the bloc would remain committed to free trade, a rules-based global order, and climate goals. French President Emmanuel Macron sent his felicitations via social media, calling for a renewed strategic partnership to address global challenges. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the result as the beginning of a resurgence of global progressivism. In the Americas, reactions varied significantly. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the victory as a triumph for the Brazilian people and a positive sign for the region. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the potential for strengthened commercial and environmental cooperation. Conversely, Donald Trump Jr., son of US President Donald Trump, criticized the outcome on social media, arguing that the two-hour voting extension constituted an unfair advantage and accusing mainstream media of silence. He suggested that similar actions by a conservative government would have sparked outrage in the United States. Several US Democratic politicians offered strong support for the winner. Senator Bernie Sanders called the result an extraordinary victory, noting that Lula had defended workers and democracy and would continue to do so. Representative Ro Khanna stated that the election demonstrated the power of people fighting back against extremism, urging Trump to respect the results. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted that the people united would never be defeated. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement expressing pride in standing with Brazil in defense of democracy, environmental protection, and workers' rights. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez observed that the election proved the will of the people is stronger than authoritarian suppression efforts. Latin American leaders also weighed in. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated Lula on what he termed a historic victory guaranteeing continuity on the path of peace and social justice. Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast, a right-wing ally of the Bolsonaro family, said he had spoken with Lula to offer congratulations and affirmed the importance of bilateral economic integration and cooperation against organized crime. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori reaffirmed the desire to strengthen strategic alliances and sustainable development in the Amazon. Presidents from Bolivia, Panama, Ecuador, and Uruguay also sent messages of support, emphasizing regional unity and democratic processes. Former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, who is currently serving a house arrest sentence related to fraud charges, congratulated her "comrade president," crediting him with awakening the will to win among Brazilians. Domestically, celebrations erupted in major cities. Fireworks and vuvuzelas filled the skies over Rio de Janeiro, while thousands of supporters wearing red, the color of Lula’s Workers’ Party, flooded the streets of Sao Paulo. In his initial remarks following the win, Lula stated that voters participated because they understood the critical importance of voting for democracy. He addressed his supporters with a message directed at foreign adversaries, declaring that Brazil would not accept being treated as anyone’s backyard. The political landscape entering this new term is complex. Lula begins his mandate facing a deeply divided nation and a hostile right-wing Congress. His victory halted a conservative wave that had seen Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru shift to the right, a trend often associated with the policies of US President Donald Trump. Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, runs as a candidate of the Liberal Party. Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after losing to Lula in the 2022 election. The legal battle over the validity of the current election is expected to proceed through Brazil’s judicial system, with Bolsonaro formally petitioning for annulment based on the disputed voting extensions.