Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won an unprecedented fourth term, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in Sunday's presidential run-off, according to the country's electoral court. The result marks a major comeback for the 80-year-old leader and extends the rule of his left-wing Workers' Party.
With 99.77 per cent of the votes counted, Lula secured 51.76 per cent of the valid votes, compared with 48.24 per cent for Bolsonaro, according to Brazilian media reports and projections by Datafolha.
Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, had finished ahead of Lula in the first round and sought to build on his father's far-right political movement. His defeat comes despite a campaign centred on tackling crime and reducing food prices.
Lula's victory defied pre-election expectations and bucked a broader trend of right-wing electoral gains in Latin America. It also marks another political comeback for the veteran leader, whose career has been shaped by repeated rises and setbacks.
Lula, a former metalworker and trade union leader, first became president in 2003 and governed until 2010. He was re-elected in 2006 and later backed his successor, Dilma Rousseff, who won the presidency in 2010 and secured a second term in 2014.
His political career suffered a major setback when he was jailed from 2018 to 2019 following corruption convictions. Those convictions were subsequently annulled, allowing him to return to electoral politics and defeat Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential election.
At 80, Lula faced a difficult re-election campaign amid concerns over the cost of living, crime and corruption. Some voters also questioned whether the veteran politician could keep pace with changes in Brazil's economy, including the growth of app-based work and informal employment.
Both candidates faced corruption allegations involving family members and political allies, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the campaign.
The run-off campaign focused heavily on household expenses, public safety and corruption. Bolsonaro presented a tough-on-crime approach as a central plank of his platform and promised to lower food costs.
Lula, meanwhile, sought to secure another mandate despite dissatisfaction among some voters over living costs and his party's history of corruption scandals.
Voting on Sunday was extended by two hours following last-minute appeals from both candidates to electoral authorities, according to reports.
The result also marks a notable electoral milestone. CNN reported that this was the first time since Brazil restored direct presidential elections in 1989 that a candidate won the presidency after finishing second in the first round.
Lula's victory is expected to shape Brazil's foreign-policy direction, particularly its approach to relations with China, the Global South and the United States.
During his presidency, Lula has emphasised national sovereignty, a more independent foreign policy and closer ties with developing countries. His approach has at times placed Brazil at odds with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
As Latin America's largest country, Brazil plays a significant role in regional diplomacy, international trade, and climate change discussions. Lula's return to office is therefore likely to have implications beyond the country's borders.
Lula's victory extends the record of a political career that began in the labour movement during the 1970s. He helped establish the Workers' Party and contested the presidency three times before winning in 2002.
His fourth term will further extend his tenure as Brazil's president. By the end of the term, he will have spent a total of 16 years in office, according to the figures cited in reports on the election.
The result reinforces Lula's position as one of the most influential figures in modern Brazilian politics, while presenting his government with the challenge of addressing persistent concerns over prices, public safety, and public confidence.
(Agency inputs from Reuters and ANI)