On the day of Lula’s election victory, the European Union, South Korea, and India all issued statements of congratulations. On October 26, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “I congratulate my friend Lula on his electoral triumph. Democracy and multilateralism have prevailed in Brazil. The partnership between Europe and Brazil is flourishing. In the coming years, we will stand firmly with you. We will continue to collaborate closely to advance free and open trade.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said: “Mr. Lula, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your election with immense joy. I am confident that, building on the trust and expectations placed in you by the Brazilian people, you will continue to play a pivotal role. I sincerely support your steadfast pursuit of the future vision you have articulated for Brazil.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked: “Heartfelt congratulations to my dear friend President Lula on his extraordinary re-election victory. I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and Brazil.”
We will continue to strengthen cooperation across all domains, advance shared priorities of the Global South, and work toward a world that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Clearly, despite former President Bolsonaro’s refusal to accept the election outcome and Donald Trump’s public discontent—evidenced by his claim that “they just used Biden’s playbook in Brazil”—the widespread international recognition of the result is evident. Major nations around the world have extended their congratulations to Lula, signaling broad-based acceptance of the electoral outcome and a willingness to maintain cooperation with the Brazilian government under his leadership.
While such diplomatic gestures are customary, from a national interest perspective, the swift expression of congratulations may reflect underlying inclinations—that these countries prefer engaging with a Lula-led administration. During the tenure of former President Bolsonaro, Brazil’s foreign policy notably tilted toward the United States, drawing comparisons to a “Brazilian Trump.” Should Bolsonaro Jr. assume power, concerns would naturally arise over Brazil aligning closely with U.S. positions—an outcome that would likely amplify American influence across Latin America, a development that EU members and India, among others, seek to avoid. The United States appears discomfited; Bolsonaro has pursued legal avenues to overturn the result. Yet this wave of international recognition undoubtedly strengthens Lula’s position and reinforces the legitimacy of his presidency.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880093362325507/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.