Lula defeats pro-Israel challenger Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil elections

The incumbent secured his fourth term as leader after falling behind his far-right challenger in the first round of voting

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures as he addresses supporters after his victory in the presidential runoff election, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 26 October (Reuters/Amanda Perobelli)

Published date: 26 October 2026 07:21 GMT | Last update: 4 hours 1 min ago

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva secured his fourth  non-consecutive presidential term late on Sunday, in a historic win against right-wing pro-Israel Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.

Lula won the tight race by 51.78 percent of valid votes against 48.22 percent for Bolsonaro, according to Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Heavy rain and technical issues had affected voting across the vast Latin American nation, leading the country to keep open polls for two extra hours past 7pm local time (10pm GMT).

The defeated presidential candidate Bolsonaro announced he would call for the results to be annulled, citing the two-hour extension to voting given by the Supreme Court.

"We will engage our legal team and seek to have these elections annulled," he said. "I will not accept that the rules of the game have been arbitrarily changed - once again - by Lula’s friends on the Federal Supreme Court."

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Bolsonaro's statement comes despite reports that the request for the extension was called for by both candidates, citing heavy rain and transport disruptions that prevented some voters from reaching polling stations.

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has defeated right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by more than three points in the second round of Brazil’s presidential election. https://t.co/NoLzGnJQ83

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 26, 2026

Meanwhile, Lula's win marks the first time a presidential candidate in modern Brazilian history to have lost the first round of elections, only to win the second. 

His reelection challenges the current shift to right-wing politics across Latin America, where conservative and far right governments have taken power in several countries, including Colombia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Lula's term is set to begin on 5 January 2027.

Lula's left-wing politics

Throughout his political run, Lula has pursued closer cooperation with emerging economies and championed national sovereignty. 

During his presidency, Lula prioritised poverty reduction, social spending as well as environmental protection of the Amazon.

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Unlike Bolsonaro, he has long been a critic of Israel and the US, calling for Palestinian statehood. The left-wing president has also backed strengthening ties with Iran and China. 

Following his victory, Lula said he wants to "make a commitment" and "will deliver the best term any president has ever served".

"I will dedicate myself 24 hours a day to making this the country that everyone dreams of," he told supporters. 

He also stressed national sovereignty, saying "in this election, we defeated the interference that was coming from the outside in." 

"Brazil is no one’s back yard," he added. 

Several countries and political figures have since backed Lula's win, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, United States Senator Bernie Sanders, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and several other leaders from across the region. 

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