# Lula Wins Fourth Term as Brazil President After Calling Israel a ‘Terrorist State’

> Lula wins 51.79% to come from behind against Flávio Bolsonaro, who refuses to concede and vows to seek an annulment

Published: 2026-10-26 · Desk: World · Source: TezzFeed Desk · By: Samiaa Jahan Happy

Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has staged a remarkable electoral comeback, defeating far-right challenger Flávio Bolsonaro to secure a historic fourth presidential term, according to the election results described in the report. Lula’s victory represents a significant moment for Brazil’s democracy and a setback for the country’s far-right political movement.

With all votes counted, the 80-year-old left-wing leader secured 51.79 per cent of the vote, compared with 48.21 per cent for his 45-year-old rival, a difference of approximately 4.4 million votes. However, shortly after the electoral authorities confirmed the result, Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat and announced that his legal team would seek to have the election annulled.

The outcome marked a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Lula had narrowly trailed Bolsonaro in the first round of voting in early October, raising concerns among his supporters about the future of progressive politics in Brazil. Historically, no candidate who finished second in the first round had gone on to win the presidency in the second round since the restoration of democracy in the 1980s. Lula broke that pattern with his decisive performance in the runoff.

## A Political Renewal

Lula’s victory prompted celebrations across Brazil, particularly in São Paulo, where supporters gathered in large numbers to celebrate the result. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at a conference hall, the president-elect pledged to change the way the country was governed and described the election as a rejection of political denialism. He thanked Brazilian voters for their support, saying that democracy had made the victory possible. His speech sought to present the result not merely as a personal triumph but as an affirmation of democratic institutions and the political participation of ordinary citizens.

Alexandre Padilha, Lula’s health minister, described the result as a major victory for the Brazilian people. He argued that voters had considered the implications of the election for environmental protection, public healthcare, education and the constitution. Padilha also emphasised the international significance of the outcome, suggesting that Lula’s success would send an important message to Latin America and the wider world at a time when far-right political movements were gaining influence in several countries.

Lula’s campaign benefited partly from increased voter participation in the second round. After abstention reached a record 21.08 per cent in the first round, the rate declined to 19.21 per cent in the runoff. Lula’s allies had identified improved turnout among his supporters as a crucial opportunity to overcome Bolsonaro’s initial advantage.

## Bolsonaro Refuses to Accept Defeat

Despite the official confirmation of the result, Flávio Bolsonaro rejected the outcome and argued that the election should be annulled. He cited a decision by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin to extend voting hours by two hours, until 7 p.m., claiming that the move had changed the rules during the electoral process. Bolsonaro described the decision as unacceptable, although his speech reportedly made no mention of the fact that his own campaign had also requested an extension of voting hours.

His refusal to concede echoed the conduct of his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who had similarly rejected his defeat to Lula four years earlier. Jair Bolsonaro was convicted over his involvement in a coup plot and was serving a 27-year prison sentence at the time described in the report. Bolsonaro's attempt to challenge the result raised concerns about the peaceful transfer of power and public confidence in Brazil’s electoral system. Nevertheless, any allegation of electoral irregularity would need to be examined through lawful procedures and supported by credible evidence.

## A Political Comeback Decades in the Making

For Lula, the victory represented another extraordinary chapter in a political career shaped by poverty, labour activism and repeated electoral struggles. Born into a poor family in rural Brazil, he later became a factory worker and emerged as a prominent trade union leader in the industrial suburbs of São Paulo during the late 1970s.

After entering politics, Lula unsuccessfully contested the presidency in 1989, 1994 and 1998. He finally won in 2002, becoming Brazil’s first elected working-class president. After serving the two consecutive terms permitted by the constitution, he left office but eventually returned to power by defeating Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election.

His latest victory further strengthens his position as one of the most influential figures in modern Brazilian politics. It also represents a setback for the Bolsonaro family, whose political influence had depended partly on the prospect of Flávio Bolsonaro succeeding his father’s movement in national leadership. The result was also unfavourable for US President Donald Trump, an important international ally of the Bolsonaro family. A Bolsonaro victory would have strengthened the position of conservative and right-wing political forces across Latin America.

## International Reactions and Public Expectations

Political leaders across the region welcomed Lula’s victory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated him, declaring that the Brazilian people had won and celebrating democracy. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña also praised the Brazilian electorate for its democratic participation.

Meanwhile, thousands of Lula supporters celebrated in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The rallies followed large demonstrations in the final days of the campaign, including gatherings at Rio’s Copacabana beach and São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue. Some supporters also expressed anger over allegations that pro-Bolsonaro politicians had attempted to disrupt public transport in areas favourable to Lula, potentially making it more difficult for voters to reach polling stations. Such allegations require independent investigation before responsibility can be established.

Lula’s victory ultimately demonstrates the importance of competitive elections, voter participation and respect for constitutional procedures. However, winning an election is only the beginning of the challenge. His government will face the task of addressing political polarisation, protecting democratic institutions and delivering improvements in public services and economic conditions.

For Brazil, the immediate priority will be ensuring a peaceful transition of power and resolving any legitimate electoral disputes through established legal channels. The durability of Lula’s historic victory will depend not only on the strength of his electoral mandate but also on his administration’s ability to unite a deeply divided nation.

HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/international-news/lula-wins-fourth-term-as-brazil-president-after-calling-israel-a-terrorist-state-1793412773442
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt