Lula Wins Fourth Term as Bolsonaro Rejects Election Result

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term after defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in Sunday’s presidential run-off election.

Lula secured 51.79 per cent of the vote against Bolsonaro’s 48.21 per cent, winning by more than four million votes despite finishing behind his rival in the first round. Celebrating his victory in São Paulo, Lula declared, “Long live democracy,” said President Lula.

Lula also promised to listen more closely to the Brazilian people during his new term, saying, “It will be the one in which I listen most to the Brazilian people,” said President Lula.

However, Bolsonaro has rejected the result and called for the election to be annulled, questioning the decision to extend voting hours by two hours.

 He described the outcome as “impossible” and “inexplicable,” said Bolsonaro.

Despite Bolsonaro’s challenge, electoral law experts say the chances of overturning the result are remote, partly because of Lula’s margin of victory.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Lula, saying, “Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil.” 

She added that Europe and Brazil would continue working together on trade, climate ambitions and international cooperation.Lula will remain in office until 2030.