Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won Brazil’s presidential run-off, taking 51.79% of valid votes against 48.21% for Flávio Bolsonaro on Sunday, October 25, with all polling stations counted, according to results compiled by The Rio Times. The formal declaration by the electoral court was still to follow at the time of writing.
The numbers
- Lula (PT): 64,256,232 votes
- Flávio Bolsonaro (PL): 59,826,041 votes
- Turnout: 80.78%
That is a margin of about 4.4 million votes.
A comeback from the first round
In the first round on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro led with 47.03% to Lula’s 45.16%, with no candidate passing 50%. Smaller candidates, including Augusto Cury (2.89%), Renan Santos (2.24%) and Ronaldo Caiado (2.18%), shared the rest. Turnout rose from 78.92% in the first round to 80.78% in the run-off.
A disputed result?
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, has rejected the outcome and said he will seek its annulment. Brazil’s electronic voting system has been repeatedly upheld by the electoral court, which will rule on any challenge.
Governing with a hostile Congress
Flávio Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party won the most seats in Congress, so Lula will face a legislature where his opponents are strong. Passing budgets and reforms will require coalition-building with centrist parties. The new term begins on January 5, 2027.
Why it matters beyond Brazil
Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy and a member of BRICS. Lula’s foreign policy has favoured a multipolar approach and trade diversification, which is relevant for countries such as Pakistan that are expanding ties with Latin America. More in our Americas and World sections.
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