Lula holds off far right with victory in Brazil presidential election
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Flavio Bolsonaro in a contentious Brazilian presidential election, overcoming a first-round deficit. Bolsonaro has not yet conceded, raising concerns about potential legal challenges regarding the election process.
Why it matters
The election result represents a pivotal moment for Brazilian democracy and highlights the deep political polarization within the country.
Leftist president mounts stunning comeback after unexpected first-round loss galvanised supporters of Flavio Bolsonaro.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 25 [Tuane Fernandes/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff Published On 26 Oct 2026 26 Oct 2026 Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has defeated right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s contentious presidential race, pulling off a remarkable comeback after a first-round loss that galvanised the country’s political right.
Shortly after 9pm Brasilia time on Sunday (00:00 GMT), Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court called the race for Lula, who had earned more than 51 percent of the vote. More than 64 million ballots were cast for the incumbent.
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