Brazil Election Results in Maps: How Lula Came Back

Covered by The New York Times, Aol and 8 more since

  • Brazil
  • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
  • Jair Bolsonaro
  • Donald Trump
  • Latin America
  • Flávio Bolsonaro
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • São Paulo
A paper map of Brazil on a wooden desk, states shaded in two colors, with pushpins and reading glasses in warm window light.

What happened

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, won a fourth term on Oct. 25, 2026, beating right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro in a runoff with about 51.8% of the vote to 48.2%. Lula came from behind after trailing in the first round. The New York Times reports Bolsonaro refused to accept the result and alleged foul play.

Summary

Brazil's voters gave Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a fourth term on Sunday, Oct. 25, in a runoff that split the country nearly in half. Electoral authorities reported Lula at about 51.76% to 48.24% for Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro with more than 99% of ballots counted. It was a comeback. Bolsonaro, 45, the eldest son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, had won the first round 47% to 45%, a lead of more than 2.2 million votes. The Washington Post reports Lula is the first Brazilian candidate to finish second in a first round and then win the runoff, and the first elected four times. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [10]

In a victory speech in São Paulo, Lula thanked Brazilians for their generosity. He said people turned out because his side had persuaded them that protecting democracy mattered. He also had sharp words for his opponent: "I never imagined that a person could lie so much." The New York Times reports that Bolsonaro refused to accept the outcome and blamed foul play. The Washington Post had said earlier it was unclear whether he would concede. Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, takes office again Jan. 5. He will face a right-wing majority in Congress that has been described as one of the most conservative in Brazil's history. [1] [3] [6] [10]

Lula's base in the populous Northeast held firm, and he drew strong support from lower-income voters and women. Fox News reports that Minas Gerais, often called a bellwether state, ended up essentially tied after Bolsonaro won it by 5% in the first round. After a weak first round, Lula's campaign shifted to new promises, including debt relief for families. The result is a setback for President Trump. He favored the Bolsonaro family but never formally endorsed Flávio. Lula accused the U.S. government of meddling in the race, and the State Department called that accusation baseless. [1] [3] [4] [6]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 10 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Why did Brazil hold a runoff election?

Flávio Bolsonaro won the Oct. 4 first round with 47% to Lula's 45%. Neither candidate reached the 50% majority needed to win outright, so the top two faced each other again. [3]

Who is Flávio Bolsonaro?

He is a 45-year-old senator from Rio de Janeiro and the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Flávio campaigned on freeing his father. [4] [6] [7]

Did Trump endorse Flávio Bolsonaro?

No. Trump did not officially endorse him, but he hosted him in the Oval Office in May and was close to the Bolsonaro family. Lula accused the U.S. of interfering in the race. [3] [4] [6]

Sources 10

  1. 1The New York Times

    What to Know About Brazil's Election as Bolsonaro Faces Off With Lula

    President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva narrowly triumphed over Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of the right-wing leader he defeated four years ago.

    Read on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2Aol

    The Latest: Brazilians choose between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in presidential runoff

    Brazilians are voting Sunday in a presidential runoff that pits leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a far-right ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Read on Aol (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3Fox News

    Conservative wave hits roadblock in Brazil as Lula holds off Bolsonaro challenge

    Lula da Silva wins unprecedented fourth term as president of Brazil, defeating Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by a narrow margin Incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) defeated…

    David Unsworth

    Read on Fox News (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4USA Today

    Lula wins historic fourth term in Brazil, denying Trump a close ally

    WASHINGTON - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection on Oct.

    Read on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5CNBC

    Brazil's Lula wins presidential election in runoff vote

    Brazil's President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva waves a national flag during a campaign rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 26, 2026.

    Anniek Bao

    Read on CNBC (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Washington Post

    Lula wins reelection in Brazil, halting Latin America's rightward shift, for now

    The leftist defeated Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro to keep Latin America's largest democracy from joining the region's rightward shift.

    Marina Dias

    Read on Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7Newsweek

    How Trump and Bolsonaro made anti-elite politics a family business

    Millions of Brazilians are casting their votes Sunday in a hotly contested presidential runoff that, for one half of the ballot, doubles as a family restoration project.

    David Averre

    Read on Newsweek (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8The Wall Street Journal

    Lula Clings to Power in Brazil Election Upset

    The 80-year-old president defeats Flávio Bolsonaro to extend one of Latin America's longest political careers SÃO PAULO -- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva clung to power in Sunday's presidential…

    Samantha Pearson

    Read on The Wall Street Journal (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9CBS News

    Brazil votes in tense presidential runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro

    Brazilians are voting in Sunday's polarizing presidential runoff between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, a contest that will determine whether the U.S.

    Read on CBS News (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10POLITICO

    Lula wins reelection in historic runoff, setting up tense political battle

    Brazil's incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated rival Flávio Bolsonaro despite losing in a first round of voting earlier this month.

    Read on POLITICO (opens in a new tab)