Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term as president of Brazil. Official Brazil election results from Sunday's runoff show Lula defeating conservative senator Flávio Bolsonaro by about 3.6 percentage points, completing a comeback after he trailed in the first round earlier this month.
The race drew strong attention in the United States, where "Lula Brazil" and "Brazil election results" climbed Google's trending searches overnight.
Final Runoff Results
With all polling stations counted, Brazil's electoral court reported:
- Lula (Workers' Party): about 51.8% of valid votes, more than 64.2 million votes
- Flávio Bolsonaro (Liberal Party): about 48.2%, roughly 59.8 million votes
- Margin: about 4.4 million votes
- Turnout: about 80.8%
Lula's vote total is reported as a record for a single candidate in a Brazilian runoff, and his margin is roughly double the gap from the 2022 runoff.
A Comeback From the First Round
The result is a reversal from the October 4 first round, when Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead with about 47% to Lula's 45%. Because no candidate passed 50%, the top two advanced to Sunday's runoff, where Lula gained enough ground to win.
Flávio Bolsonaro is the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a senator for Rio de Janeiro. He entered the race with his father's endorsement and became the leading candidate on the right.
Bolsonaro Has Not Conceded
On election night, Flávio Bolsonaro said he could not recognize Lula's victory and would ask the courts to annul the runoff. How the courts respond will be one of the main stories to watch in the coming weeks.
Lula's Historic Fourth Term
Lula previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 and returned to office in 2023. The new term will be his fourth overall and second in a row, a record in Brazilian politics.
Questions about his age had been a theme of the campaign, particularly after he suffered a fall and a brain bleed in December 2024. Voters ultimately gave him another four years.
Lula is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 5, 2027.
What Happens Next
Lula ran alongside Geraldo Alckmin, who is set to continue as vice president. Brazil's newly elected state governors will take office on January 6, 2027, one day after the presidential inauguration.
Before then, attention will turn to the transition and to whether Flávio Bolsonaro follows through on his pledge to challenge the result in court. Brazil's electoral court has already reported the full official count.
Why Brazil's Election Matters to Americans
Brazil is Latin America's largest economy and a major trading partner of the United States, and its elections are closely watched by investors and policymakers. The outcome will shape Brazil's approach to trade, climate policy and relations with Washington for the rest of the decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Brazil election in 2026?
Lula da Silva won the October 25 runoff with about 51.8% of the vote.
Who did Lula run against?
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
When does Lula's new term begin?
He is scheduled to take office on January 5, 2027.