With nearly all ballots counted, Lula received 51.76% of valid votes, compared with 48.24% for Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil’s electoral authority subsequently reported final results of 51.79% for Lula and 48.21% for Bolsonaro.
The closely fought contest unfolded amid concerns over the cost of living, household debt, crime and allegations of political interference.
Voting Hours Extended in Some Areas
Brazil’s electoral authorities temporarily paused the vote count after Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered voting hours to be extended by two hours in response to concerns about access to polling stations.
Voting had initially been scheduled to end at 5pm local time but continued until 7pm in affected areas. The extension followed a request from Lula’s campaign, which cited public transport difficulties in three cities in the northeastern state of Bahia.
Both campaigns had sought additional voting time in selected states. Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign cited poor weather, while Lula’s campaign argued that reduced public transport services could prevent some voters from reaching polling stations.
Many Brazilians rely on public transport to vote in the cities where they are registered, even when they no longer live there.
In Bahia, a stronghold of support for Lula, a court ordered the arrest of a senior transport official in Salvador over allegations that the city’s bus fleet had been reduced. Lula criticised attempts to restrict access to polling stations and urged citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Political Tensions and US Tariffs Shape Campaign
The election was also influenced by corruption controversies, economic concerns and allegations of US interference, which Washington has denied.
Flávio Bolsonaro campaigned against the backdrop of his father Jair Bolsonaro’s 2025 conviction over a plot linked to the 2022 election. Flávio had pledged to secure his father’s release if elected president.
US President Donald Trump criticised the case against Jair Bolsonaro and imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports in 2025, a move linked to the prosecution. Some of those measures were subsequently eased, although Trump introduced further tariffs this year, citing what he described as unfair trade practices.
Lula accused the Trump administration of attempting to influence Brazil’s election through its relationship with the Bolsonaro family. He also criticised the tariffs and other punitive measures, describing them as intimidation.
Cost of Living and Crime Remain Key Concerns
Despite improvements in inequality and unemployment, Lula faced difficulties winning over voters concerned about rising living costs and household debt.
Expanding criminal violence was another major concern during the campaign, adding to pressure on both candidates to address public safety and economic security.
Lula’s victory secures an unprecedented fourth presidential term, extending his political career at a time when Brazil remains divided over economic policy, crime and the country’s international relations.
