Brasilia, Oct. 26 (LaPresse) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been reelected president of Brazil. With 100% of the votes counted, Brazil’s electoral court declared that Lula – who will soon turn 81 – had secured an insurmountable lead. In an extraordinary comeback, the Brazilian left-wing leader overtook his far-right challenger with 51.79% of the votes against 48.21%. A difference of around 4 million votes. The announcement came at the end of a chaotic evening at polling stations across Brazil, following the last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours. This measure, adopted by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, could prompt legal action by challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, who does not recognize the election result. Lula’s request to keep polling stations open longer came after problems with buses transporting voters in São Paulo and Salvador, two cities where the outgoing president usually enjoys greater support. Bolsonaro’s request, meanwhile, was linked to the heavy rains that hit southern Brazil, an area where he is favored. A video released by Lula’s campaign team shows the veteran politician celebrating alongside First Lady Rosângela da Silva and his allies after his runoff victory was confirmed by Brazil’s electoral court. Wearing red, star-shaped glasses, he kissed his wife. Thousands of supporters began gathering along São Paulo’s main thoroughfare to celebrate the victory. In Rio de Janeiro, cars began honking their horns. As the result was confirmed, a thunderous roar echoed through the streets. Lula’s triumph runs counter to the regional trend that has seen center-right presidential candidates close to Trump win. This also means that Latin America’s largest economy, with an annual GDP of 2.6 trillion dollars, will likely continue to resist Trump’s demands, despite the pressure exerted by rising tariffs.
Brazil, Lula wins runoff: president for the fourth time
Brasilia, Oct. 26 (LaPresse) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been reelected president of Brazil. With 100% of the votes counted, Brazil’s electoral court declared that Lula – who will soon turn 81 – had secured an insurmountable lead. In an extraordinary comeback, the Brazilian left-wing leader overtook his far-right challenger with 51.79% of the votes against 48.21%. A difference of around 4 million votes. The announcement came at the end of a chaotic evening at polling stations across Brazil, following the last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours. This measure, adopted by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, could prompt legal action by challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, who does not recognize the election result. Lula’s request to keep polling stations open longer came after problems with buses transporting voters in São Paulo and Salvador, two cities where the outgoing president usually enjoys greater support. Bolsonaro’s request, meanwhile, was linked to the heavy rains that hit southern Brazil, an area where he is favored. A video released by Lula’s campaign team shows the veteran politician celebrating alongside First Lady Rosângela da Silva and his allies after his runoff victory was confirmed by Brazil’s electoral court. Wearing red, star-shaped glasses, he kissed his wife. Thousands of supporters began gathering along São Paulo’s main thoroughfare to celebrate the victory. In Rio de Janeiro, cars began honking their horns. As the result was confirmed, a thunderous roar echoed through the streets. Lula’s triumph runs counter to the regional trend that has seen center-right presidential candidates close to Trump win. This also means that Latin America’s largest economy, with an annual GDP of 2.6 trillion dollars, will likely continue to resist Trump’s demands, despite the pressure exerted by rising tariffs.