Lula da Silva Wins Historic Fourth Term as Brazil President, Defeats Far-Right Rival Bolsonaro

Brasilia: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the candidate of the left-wing, has secured a historic victory in the presidential election, defeating far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula won 51.7% of the votes, while Bolsonaro secured 48.2%.

The 80-year-old Lula is set to become Brazil’s president for a fourth time. He previously held the office in 2003 and 2006 and returned to the presidency for another term in the previous election.

Bolsonaro had a narrow lead in the first round of voting, securing 47.03% of the votes against Lula’s 45.16%. As neither candidate managed to secure the more than 50% required for an outright victory, a runoff election was held on October 25.

Born on October 27, 1945, Lula moved to Sao Paulo with his mother and siblings at the age of seven from Brazil’s impoverished northeastern region.

Supporters of Brazil's President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate after learning the results of the presidential runoff election in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 25, 2026. (Photo | AFP)

Lula began working as a metalworker at the age of 14 and lost his little finger while working. In 1975, he became a labour union leader. He first contested the presidential election in 1989 but lost, and was defeated in the following two elections as well.

His victory in the 2002 election made him Brazil’s first working-class labour leader to become president. He was re-elected four years later. In 2011, Dilma Rousseff succeeded him as president.

Corruption allegations that emerged during Rousseff’s second term plunged her and the Workers’ Party into a crisis. She was impeached in 2016 for violating fiscal responsibility laws. Lula subsequently faced legal proceedings of his own.

In 2017, he was convicted in a corruption case and spent 580 days in prison. He withdrew from the 2018 presidential election. His political comeback began after a higher court overturned his convictions in March 2021.

Lula, who grew up in poverty and worked as a factory labourer, rose to prominence through his struggle against Brazil’s military dictatorship.