Brasília / São Paulo, October 26, 2026 — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was declared the winner of the country’s presidential runoff election on Sunday, securing a historic fourth non-consecutive term in office after narrowly defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, according to official results released by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).
With virtually all ballots counted, Lula received approximately 51.8 percent of the valid votes, equivalent to more than 64 million ballots, while Bolsonaro obtained roughly 48.2 percent, or nearly 60 million votes. The margin of victory stood at approximately 4.4 million votes. The TSE formally proclaimed Lula the winner late Sunday evening.
The outcome marks the first instance since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1988 that a candidate who placed second in the first round of voting has gone on to prevail in the runoff. In the initial round held on October 4, Bolsonaro had led with 47.03 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45.16 percent. Neither candidate secured an absolute majority, necessitating the second round.Lula, 80, who previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2023 to the present, is scheduled to begin his new four-year term on January 5, 2027.
Upon taking the oath of office, he will become the oldest president inaugurated in Brazil since the restoration of civilian rule.The runoff campaign was closely contested. Final pre-election opinion surveys had indicated a tight race, with many placing the candidates within the margin of error. Lula’s campaign emphasized continuity of social welfare programs and measures addressing the cost of living, while seeking to increase turnout among supporters who had abstained in the first round.Election day was marked by logistical challenges.
Shortly before the scheduled close of polling, Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered a nationwide two-hour extension of voting hours. The decision followed requests from both campaigns: Lula’s team cited disruptions to public transportation in several major cities, including São Paulo and Salvador, while Bolsonaro’s campaign referenced heavy rainfall affecting access in southern regions. Electoral authorities reported that fewer than 35,000 additional votes—approximately 0.03 percent of the total—were cast during the extended period.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, declined to concede defeat. In a statement to journalists, he described the late extension of voting as an alteration of the rules and announced his intention to petition for the annulment of the results. Analysts have noted that the scale of the vote differential renders a successful legal challenge improbable.
The president of the TSE, Minister Kassio Nunes Marques, affirmed the integrity of the process and the validity of the final tally.International reaction was swift. Leaders and institutions including the European Union, Mexico, France, Canada, India, and Russia issued statements recognizing Lula’s victory and offering congratulations. Official comment from the White House was not immediately forthcoming in initial reports.
The result occurs against a regional backdrop in which several Latin American countries have recently shifted toward right-leaning governments. Lula’s re-election is expected to maintain Brazil’s current foreign policy orientation, including continued emphasis on multilateral engagement, climate diplomacy, and South-South cooperation, while presenting potential points of divergence with certain bilateral partners.
Domestically, the incoming administration will confront a Congress in which Bolsonaro-aligned forces retain substantial representation, requiring negotiation on legislative priorities. Lula has previously indicated a willingness to work with the newly elected Congress.The TSE confirmed that international observers from 46 countries monitored the second round of voting.
Brazilian financial markets had priced in a higher probability of a Bolsonaro victory in the days preceding the runoff; initial trading indications following the results pointed to adjustments in equity and currency valuations.Further formal proceedings related to any legal challenges are expected to be handled by the electoral justice system in the coming days. Lula is due to deliver additional public remarks in the near term as preparations for the transition to the new term commence.