Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Flavio Bolsonaro in the runoff, with 51.7% of the votes. In the first round the right-wing candidate had finished ahead: never in the history of Brazilian politics had anyone who had been defeated in the first round managed to overturn the result in the second. Trump: 'It seems like a rigged vote'. But Bolsonaro's party also recognizes the victory
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was re-elected president of Brazil with 51.7% of the votes. At almost 81 years old, the progressive leader will govern the country for the fourth time: he defeated the right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro (48.2%), son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who contests the result. “We have full security over the entire electoral process,” declared the president of the Brazilian Superior Electoral Tribunal, Kassio Nunes Marques. Lula's victory was a comeback: in the first round he obtained 45.16% of the votes, against 47.03% of his opponent. Never in history had a candidate defeated in the first round managed to overturn the result. However, Lula's statement caused an earthquake for Brazilian finance: the stock market collapsed by 17%, and the mechanism for automatic interruption of trading was therefore activated after heavy losses for assets. This hasn't happened since the Covid-19 period. The Brazilian currency also plummeted: the dollar soared by 12.04%, reaching 5.597 against the real. And the country risk index also increased by 27%, a figure that could make it more expensive for Brasilia to raise funds abroad.
Bolsonaro disputes the result
Bolsonaro has made it known that he will request the annulment of the vote, focusing in particular on the two-hour extension of the closing of the polls, ordered after Lula's electoral committee had reported some 'accidents' linked to the 'transportation of voters' in several Brazilian states. 'It is impossible to recognize the result of this vote under these conditions. I will ask for the vote to be cancelled. For the first time in the history of Brazil a judge has extended the voting process, he has changed the ongoing rules,' said Bolsonaro. His position does not seem to find the support of the institutions: the two presidents of the Chambers, even before he asked for the cancellation of the electoral operations, had already ratified Lula's success.
Bolsonaro's party recognizes Lula's victory
In an official note, Flavio Bolsonaro's party, the Partido Liberal, also recognized Lula's victory as president of Brazil. 'We recognize the presidential result proclaimed by the Superior Electoral Tribunal - we read in the statement signed by the president of PL, Valdemar Costa Neto - but we understand that the issues raised must be clarified in a balanced and democratic political debate. We will continue to monitor the facts and seek answers with responsibility, transparency and respect for the institutions.'
Bolsonaro said he had been ordered by the federal police to hand over his passports. The former candidate specified that he 'never expressed his desire to leave the country'. He assured that he will hand over the passports and that he will defend himself.
Trump: “Terrible result, it seems like a rigged vote”
US President Donald Trump said Brazil's presidential election produced 'a terrible result', adding that 'it felt like another rigged election to me'. Trump himself even said: 'I like Lula, I get along with him.'
Meloni: “Congratulations to Lula and the Brazilians”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted to the vote with a note: 'I congratulate President Lula on his re-election and with the Brazilian people for the extraordinary demonstration of electoral participation'. The Prime Minister added: 'Italy and Brazil will continue to work together on the main bilateral dossiers and on the many common challenges that await us, in the spirit of friendship that unites our peoples'.
The reactions of Italian politics
PD secretary Elly Schlein also congratulated Lula. 'The nationalist right can be beaten despite their power, their algorithms and their billions. Not only does the Bolsonaro dynasty lose, Trump and his allies also lose with their attempts to interfere in the Brazilian elections.' The comment of the leader of Italia Viva Matteo Renzi is similar: 'The Brazilian results tell us that Trump's embrace is once again decisive for the defeat, as already in Canada, Australia, Hungary'. Angelo Bonelli, AVS MP and co-spokesperson for Green Europe, speaks of an 'extraordinary victory for Brazil and hope for all of us who fight for a more just world, where people and the planet come before the interests of the few'. Many, like the leader of the Five Star Movement Giuseppe Conte, compare Lula's victory with that of the Student List in Serbia: 'In Brazil Lula comes back and wins. In Serbia, students triumph. No predictions, no obstacles, no brakes on the demands of social justice and no interference can win when people decide to be there and participate.'
Von der Leyen: “Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil”
Support for Lula also comes from the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. 'Democracy and multilateralism have won in Brazil. The partnership between Europe and Brazil is thriving. We will remain by your side in the years to come. Together we will continue to work closely for free and open trade. For a rules-based global order. And for ambitious climate goals,' he wrote on
Congratulations from Macron, Sanchez and Merz
Satisfaction with the results also comes from France and Spain. The head of the Elysée Emmanuel Macron congratulated Lula, hoping to 'live the friendship between our two countries at the service of a more just world' in the face of the 'great challenges' of today's world. 'France and Brazil have a lot to build together,' he wrote on 'The remontada of global progressivism has just begun,' he adds. A message also from Berlin. 'The Chancellor welcomes the elections and is pleased to continue and deepen the strategic partnership with Brazil,' said Sebastian Hille, the spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The reactions of China and Russia
The words coming from Beijing are more measured. 'China has taken note of the announcement by the Superior Electoral Court of Brazil that President Lula won the run-off of the Brazilian general election, and expresses its congratulations,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, adding that Beijing was 'willing to work together with Brazil to continue to promote the construction of a Sino-Brazilian community with a shared future.' Moscow, on the other hand, 'welcomes' Lula's victory, 'which is doing a lot not only for the development of bilateral relations, but also for the continuation of the process within BRICS and other organisations', declared Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Interfax.
Modi: "Extraordinary victory for my dear friend Lula"
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends his 'warmest congratulations to my dear friend, President Lula, on his extraordinary election victory'. Su X adds: 'I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multi-faceted strategic partnership between India and Brazil. Together, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation across diverse sectors, advance the shared priorities of the Global South, and strive for a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world.'
Iran, Pezeshkian: "Let's work together for multilateralism"
'I hope that in the new presidential term, friendly relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Federative Republic of Brazil will be further strengthened and that cooperation between the two countries in areas of common interest will be intensified, in line with the mutual interests of the two nations and with the strengthening of multilateralism, development and international peace,' wrote Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, congratulating Lula.
