Lula Wins Brazil Runoff, Secures Fourth Presidential Term

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won Brazil's presidential runoff on Sunday, defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro and securing a fourth term. Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court said Lula led with 51.76 percent of valid votes, while Flavio Bolsonaro received 48.24 percent, a margin of more than 4 million votes. The result marked a major reversal after the first round on Oct. 4, when Flavio Bolsonaro was ahead with 47.03 percent and Lula had 45.16 percent. According to local media reports, added votes from major cities and Brazil's densely populated northeast widened Lula's lead as counting continued. Lula, who led Brazil from 2003-2010 and won again in 2022, is scheduled to begin his new term on Jan. 5, 2027.