BackUS and Brazil deliver double blow to the populist right. Will Europe feel the impact?

Developing

SCMP News10 minutes agoWorld1 min readChina

US and Brazil deliver double blow to the populist right. Will Europe feel the impact?

Quick Look

In roughly 10 days, Brazil and the United States delivered setbacks to the populist right.
Lula defeated Flavio Bolsonaro in a Brazilian run-off after trailing in the first round, while American voters handed control of both chambers of Congress to Democrats in a rebuke of Trump's MAGA movement.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

In the space of roughly 10 days, the two largest democracies in the Americas delivered setbacks to the populist right. In Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva staged a narrow but remarkable comeback, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in a run-off election after trailing in the first round. This week, American voters handed control of both chambers of the US Congress to Democrats in a sharp rebuke of candidates riding on US President Donald Trump's “Make America Great Again” movement.

Font size

In the space of roughly 10 days, the two largest democracies in the Americas delivered setbacks to the populist right.

In Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva staged a narrow but remarkable comeback, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in a run-off election after trailing in the first round.

This week, American voters handed control of both chambers of the US Congress to Democrats in a sharp rebuke of candidates riding on US President Donald Trump's “Make America Great Again” movement.

Open Questions

What were the vote totals or margins in the Brazilian run-off?
What specific policies or issues drove the US congressional results?
When exactly did the Brazilian run-off take place?

The Republicans lost in the U.S. midterm elections. Analysts believe that after the Democrats take control of Congress, they may pressure Trump to unfreeze arms sales to Taiwan. A former Chinese diplomat said this is the number one risk facing Beijing after the election. At the same time, uncertainty in U.S.-China trade negotiations and the Taiwan issue has increased.

自由时报

3 min read

Developing·1 hour ago

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war will end soon, deal could involve the whole of Europe

U.S. President Trump said that the Russia-Ukraine issue is very close to being resolved and that a major agreement that is not limited to Ukraine but may involve the entire Europe will be reached. He also said that the Russia-Ukraine war will soon be brought to an end. He previously met with the Russian presidential envoy, and negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States plan to meet in Abu Dhabi from the 10th to the 11th.

自由时报

2 min read

Developing·1 hour ago

Chances are, US-China truce will be extended at Shenzhen Apec summit

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed in October 2025 to suspend US port fees on Chinese-built vessels and Chinese export controls on rare earths, and are expected to meet again at the Apec summit in Shenzhen later this month, though analysts caution that China's rise and US relative decline limit optimism.

SCMP News

1 min read

World·2 hours ago

South Korea apologises for classing gay teens as delinquents

A South Korean government-affiliated youth counseling manual classified homosexuality under delinquency-related issues alongside sexual violence, theft, and drug abuse, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The guide, produced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family-affiliated Korea Youth Counselling and Welfare Institute, was created for youth companions supporting at-risk young people.

SCMP Economy

1 min read

World·2 hours ago

From Tsai Kang-yong, "VIVANT" to Mbappe: Why does Beijing handle "insulting China" incidents differently?

In recent weeks, there have been three consecutive controversies in the Chinese public opinion field, in which Taiwanese artist Tsai Kang-yong, Japanese TV series "VIVANT" and French football star Kylian Mbappe were labeled as "insulting China". Many interviewed scholars believe that Beijing’s handling method does not simply depend on which country or region the target is from, but rather depends on whether the incident touches core political issues such as sovereignty and historical memory, as well as current bilateral relations and domestic and foreign policy considerations. On the one hand, Chinese officials rely on nationalism to build domestic consensus; on the other hand, they also try to control the intensity of mobilization to avoid affecting foreign relations, economic interests, and other policy goals. The three cases of turmoil just show this kind of trade-offs and trade-offs.

BBC中文

7 min read

Developing·4 hours ago

After the "change of weather" in the US Congress: It is difficult to retain the Secretary of Defense, and the war in Iran adds another variable

The results of the U.S. midterm elections showed that the Democratic Party set off a "blue wave" in the House and Senate to regain the majority position, and the Trump administration's policy space will narrow in the next two years. Republican Vice President Vance blamed the defeat on the war in Iran. Defense Secretary Hegseth is facing impeachment pressure. The direction of U.S. policy toward Iran is undecided. Military options and prospects for peace talks have become the focus.

中国新闻网

8 min read

US and Brazil deliver double blow to the populist right. Will Europe feel the impact?

Quick Look

Why It Matters

Open Questions

Related Topics

Related Stories

The Democratic Party's victory in the US midterm elections may put pressure on Trump to unfreeze arms sales to Taiwan. Former Chinese diplomat calls the number one risk

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war will end soon, deal could involve the whole of Europe

Chances are, US-China truce will be extended at Shenzhen Apec summit

South Korea apologises for classing gay teens as delinquents

From Tsai Kang-yong, "VIVANT" to Mbappe: Why does Beijing handle "insulting China" incidents differently?

After the "change of weather" in the US Congress: It is difficult to retain the Secretary of Defense, and the war in Iran adds another variable

US and Brazil deliver double blow to the populist right. Will Europe feel the impact?

Quick Look

Why It Matters

Open Questions

Related Topics

Related Stories

The Democratic Party's victory in the US midterm elections may put pressure on Trump to unfreeze arms sales to Taiwan. Former Chinese diplomat calls the number one risk

Trump says Russia-Ukraine war will end soon, deal could involve the whole of Europe

Chances are, US-China truce will be extended at Shenzhen Apec summit

South Korea apologises for classing gay teens as delinquents

From Tsai Kang-yong, "VIVANT" to Mbappe: Why does Beijing handle "insulting China" incidents differently?

After the "change of weather" in the US Congress: It is difficult to retain the Secretary of Defense, and the war in Iran adds another variable