World · Americas · UB-128
Brazil election: Lula wins a record fourth term, defeating Trump ally Flávio Bolsonaro in a tight runoff
Published 26-10-2026 · UB-128 · 🇧🇷🇺🇸 · ✓ 4 linked sources
Lula took 51.78% to Flávio Bolsonaro's 48.22% with 99.95% of votes counted. Bolsonaro has not recognised the result, and Lula's new term begins on 05-01-2027.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential runoff on 25-10-2026, securing a record fourth term and a major victory for Brazil's left. With 99.95% of ballots counted, Brazil's electoral court (TSE) reported that Lula, of the left-wing Workers' Party (PT), won 51.78% of the vote against 48.22% for right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a margin of nearly 4.4 million votes, CBS News reported.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and a self-described ally of US President Donald Trump, led the first round with 47% to Lula's 45%. After the runoff, he did not recognise the result, France 24 reported. CBS News said a Supreme Court justice's decision to extend voting could prompt legal action from his camp.
In his victory speech, Lula called the result "a defeat for denialism and lies" and said: "This country will not accept being anyone's backyard." Lula, a vocal critic of Trump, is soon to turn 81.
Trump said he was watching the election but did not endorse a candidate. His administration has imposed high tariffs on Brazilian exports. Lula's new term begins on 05-01-2027.