Lula wins Brazilian election and begins fourth term
Brazilian president defeats Flávio Bolsonaro after a historic comeback in the second round.
Follow-up to: Lula leads in early count of Brazilian election Sunday, 25 October 2026, 23:53
Listen to this article
There is no audio version yet. Request one and an AI voice will read the article aloud.
Read by an AI voice.
_denoise_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was re-elected president of Brazil on Sunday. According to Brazil’s electoral authorities, he won 51.77 per cent of the valid votes, against 48.23 per cent for Flávio Bolsonaro.
The result means that Lula is beginning his fourth term in office. He is the first Brazilian president to be elected president four times. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, had finished first in the first round.
The result therefore represents a reversal compared with the first round of voting. Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.03 per cent of the valid votes at that stage, while Lula remained on 45.16 per cent. Neither won the required majority, making a second round necessary.
Election day did not proceed smoothly everywhere. Voting was extended in some places because of problems with public transport and other access issues. According to the Brazilian Chamber, voting there was extended by two hours on a judge’s order.
The result was announced after virtually all votes had been counted. Agência Brasil reported, when 98.2 per cent of the ballots had been counted, a lead of 51.75 to 48.25 per cent; the electoral authorities’ later figures came to 51.77 against 48.23 per cent.
According to his programme, Lula promised to continue and expand existing social and economic programmes. His programme includes, among other things, a higher minimum wage, additional investment in national defence and a greater federal role in public security.
The victory gives Lula a renewed mandate. For his supporters, the result confirms the appeal of his social agenda and his political recovery; from a right-wing perspective, the result can be seen as an indication that the right has a substantial electoral base in Brazil. The new government will also have to deal with the divisions made visible by the campaign.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Lula won the second round of Brazil’s presidential election on 25 October 2026.
- He received 51.77 per cent of the valid votes; Flávio Bolsonaro received 48.23 per cent.
- Flávio Bolsonaro was ahead of Lula in the first round.
- Voting time was extended at some locations because of problems with access and transport.
Left
Arguments From this perspective, the result shows that voters chose continuity of social programmes, poverty reduction and a greater role for the state in economic development.
Values Social equality, protection of vulnerable groups and democratic institutions are central.
Consequences A new Lula government may expand social support, but will need to find broad political support and sufficient budgetary room to do so.
Centre
Arguments The result primarily calls for administrative stability and cooperation with a divided parliament and a large right-wing electorate. The priority is implementable policy and confidence in the electoral institutions.
Values Institutional continuity, the rule of law and compromise-building.
Consequences Lula will probably have to make concessions to implement policy and limit social tensions.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, the result points to a large electoral base for the right and to the need for the government to take account of concerns about taxes, security, public spending and the influence of the state.
Values Individual responsibility, economic freedom, order and restrained government action.
Consequences If Lula ignores the right-wing constituency, polarisation may increase and the right may organise further ahead of the next elections.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core has been confirmed by the Brazilian Chamber, Agência Brasil and AP. The percentages are based on the later official count; earlier interim results are clearly identified as such.
- confirmed Lula was re-elected president of Brazil on 25 October 2026. — Confirmed by Agência Brasil, the Brazilian Chamber and AP. source
- confirmed Lula received 51.77 per cent and Flávio Bolsonaro 48.23 per cent of the valid votes. — Reported by the Câmara dos Deputados based on the electoral authorities. source
- confirmed Flávio Bolsonaro was ahead in the first round, with 47.03 against 45.16 per cent. — These figures appear in Agência Brasil’s official retrospective. source
- confirmed Voting was extended by two hours in some places. — Reported by the Câmara dos Deputados in its coverage of election day. source
- confirmed Lula is beginning his fourth term in office. — Confirmed by Agência Brasil and AP. source
Editor's note
The victory and the percentages have been confirmed by Brazilian government sources and independent reporting. Details about the political consequences remain forward-looking; Flávio Bolsonaro’s earlier lead has been used as context.Sources
- Trump critic Lula wins reelection in Brazil, securing fourth presidential term — Associated Press
- Lula é reeleito presidente do Brasil em virada histórica — Agência Brasil
- Lula é reeleito presidente com quase 52% dos votos válidos no 2º turno — Câmara dos Deputados
- Lula conquista histórico 4º mandato presidencial com virada inédita — Reuters via UOL
The story so far
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 17:01 Brazilians choose between Lula and Bolsonaro tomorrow
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 18:59 Brazil chooses president in closely fought election
- Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:10 Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula advance to Brazil’s second round
- Monday, 5 October 2026, 06:13 Bolsonaro camp gains ground in Brazil’s Senate
- Monday, 5 October 2026, 19:43 Brazilian stock market breaks record after election round
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 22:55 Brazilian polling stations stay open longer after transport problems
- Sunday, 25 October 2026, 23:53 Lula leads in early count of Brazilian election
- Monday, 26 October 2026, 02:52 Lula wins Brazilian election and begins fourth term (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „brazilië luiz inácio lula da silva”
- Het Parool — „brazilië luiz inácio lula da silva”
- Trouw — „brazilië luiz inácio lula da silva”