Brazil election officials said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated Senator Flávio Bolsonaro on October 25, 2026, putting Lula on course for a fourth, non-consecutive presidential term.

Key Takeaways

  • The electoral court said Lula led by nearly 4.4 million votes with all votes counted.
  • A last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours caused confusion at polling places.

Brazil election result reverses first-round lead

Lula’s victory followed a first round in which Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote to Lula’s 45%, a lead of about 2.2 million votes. The electoral court announced the result after a delayed count; Lula’s fourth term remains subject to confirmation by electoral authorities.

The contest took place amid concerns about security and the cost of living. Bolsonaro campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform and promised to lower food costs, while Lula promoted government incentives as he sought undecided voters.

Voting extension caused confusion

Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered polls to remain open for two extra hours, three minutes before voting was scheduled to end. Both candidates had requested an extension: Lula cited transport problems in São Paulo and Salvador, while Bolsonaro pointed to heavy rain in southern Brazil.

At some polling stations, volunteers had left or voting machines had been switched off. It was unclear how many stations remained open after the original closing time. Bolsonaro could take legal action over the decision.

Lula’s return to office

Lula first won the presidency in 2002 and was reelected in 2006. He returned to office after narrowly defeating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022. His next term is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2027.

The result keeps Latin America’s largest economy under a left-of-center leader. Lula has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump and defended Brazil’s sovereignty amid increased U.S. tariffs.

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