Lula has won the election! On October 26, according to foreign media reports, Brazil’s electoral authorities declared Lula the confirmed winner of the presidential race, securing him a fourth term in office. After counting 97.69% of polling stations, Lula received 51.74% of the vote, while Flávio Bolsonaro garnered 48.26%. Lula led by approximately 4.2 million votes. The race had been intensely contested; early results showed Flávio briefly ahead, but Lula ultimately overtook his opponent in the final tally.
The decisive factor in Lula’s comeback was strong support from voters in Brazil’s Northeast region. Initially, vote counts from wealthier southern and southeastern regions—historically strongholds for right-wing politics—led to a narrow early advantage for Flávio. However, once ballots from the Northeast were processed in bulk, the momentum shifted decisively in Lula’s favor, restoring his lead and ultimately securing victory.
This win marks a historic milestone in Brazilian politics: Lula becomes the first person in the country’s history to win four presidential elections. Following the result, supporters of Flávio Bolsonaro attributed Lula’s reversal to a court ruling that extended voting hours by two. On election day, severe weather disrupted transportation across eastern Brazil, with heavy rains causing road flooding and public transit shutdowns, hindering many Lula supporters from reaching polling stations. The extension allowed voters to cast their ballots despite delays, playing a critical role in the outcome. The victory was narrowly won—Lula’s margin was razor-thin. In hindsight, Flávio may well regret his decision to attack Lula with nine fingers during the campaign.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880071081004035/
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