Lula Wins Brazil Runoff, Bolsonaro Seeks to Annul Vote Over Late Extension

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a second consecutive term in Brazil's presidential runoff on October 25, 2026, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro after a voting day marked by confusion over when polls would close.

Brazil's electoral court reported that with 100 percent of ballots counted, Lula led by nearly 4.4 million votes and captured 51.8 percent of the total. The result gives Lula a non-consecutive fourth term in office. He turns 81 on October 27, and his next term begins January 5, 2027.

The count proceeded after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ruled, three minutes before the scheduled closing time, to keep polls open for two additional hours. Lula's campaign requested the extension after bus problems delayed voter transport in Sao Paulo and Salvador. Bolsonaro's campaign sought the extension because of heavy rain in Brazil's south. Voting machines at a Rio de Janeiro polling station were switched off minutes after the original closing time and could not be restarted. The extension pushed back the tally by two hours. It was not reported how many polling stations stayed open past the scheduled close.

After the electoral court announced the result, Bolsonaro said he wants the election "anulled" because of the extension. Nikolas Ferreira, an ally of Bolsonaro, noted that Zanin, who issued the ruling, previously served as Lula's lawyer.

Lula addressed supporters after the announcement. "Either the homeland remains free or we die for Brazil," he said. "This country will not accept being anyone's backyard." He also said, "This was a defeat for denialism and lies. I must confess that every time I attended a debate, I felt embarrassed."

Bolsonaro had not responded to the result as of the latest available information. Bolsonaro led the first round earlier in October by more than 2.2 million votes. Lula's runoff victory marks the first time since Brazil's military dictatorship ended in 1985 that the candidate who finished second in the first round went on to win the presidency.

The campaign centered on the cost of living and security. Bolsonaro pledged to reduce food prices and emphasized a tough-on-crime approach. Lula invested in incentives aimed at undecided voters. Both candidates faced corruption suspicions involving family members and allies. Lula previously spent more than a year in prison on corruption convictions that were later annulled, after his release at 580 days.

Lula's win keeps Mexico and Brazil, Latin America's two most populous countries, with left-of-centre leaders. Brazil's economy generates $2.6 trillion US in GDP each year, and the country faces increased tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Lula joins Trump and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega as the oldest presidents in the Americas; all three are 80.

Supporters gathered after the result was confirmed. Hundreds assembled on Sao Paulo's main avenue. In Rio de Janeiro, drivers sounded horns as the outcome was read.