Brazil’s National Congress will confirm Lula’s victory on June 1, a move that will formalise his fourth term and trigger the July 1 swearing‑in ceremony.
The runoff, held on May 28, saw Lula capture 52.8% of the vote against Flávio Bolsonaro’s 47.2%, overturning the first‑round loss that stunned many analysts. “The people have spoken,” said the presidential office’s spokesperson, Maria Ferreira, after the result was announced.
Lula’s win marks the first time a candidate has won a runoff after losing the initial ballot in Brazil’s history, a feat that underscores his enduring political resilience. He will become the country’s longest‑serving president, having already held office from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2015 to 2022.
The election also reflects Brazil’s continued left‑leaning tilt amid a regional swing to the right, with Lula promising to halt the Amazon’s deforestation and to restore social programmes that Bolsonaro’s administration had cut. “We must keep the Amazon safe and the poor protected,” Lula said to a crowd of 10,000 in São Paulo.
On the ground, the impact is already visible. Antonio Carlos Lima Ferreira, a fisherman from Maranhao, told AFP that he can now afford a proper meal for his family, citing the surge of Bolsa Família benefits that began in 2003. “I used to send my son to bed hungry,” he said. “Now I can choose what we eat.”
The result has drawn sharp criticism from the far‑right, which fears a return to policies that could erode civil liberties. Bolsonaro’s campaign team released a statement saying the “vote was a mistake for Brazil.” Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is set to review the legal challenges surrounding the annulled charges that once barred Lula from running.
With Congress’s certification expected on June 1, Lula will prepare for a historic inauguration on July 1, where he will pledge to continue his legacy of social reform and environmental stewardship. The international community will watch closely as Brazil solidifies its position as a left‑leaning bulwark in Latin America.