Share to ClassroomLula Wins Fourth Term in Brazil Surprise
Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, won a second-round vote on Sunday, October 25. He beat the far-right politician Flávio Bolsonaro and won a fourth term. Lula got about 51.8% of the vote. This was a big surprise, because he lost the first round in early October. According to The Guardian, this has never happened before in Brazil's modern democracy. Lula turns 81 on Tuesday, and his new term starts in January 2027.
Lula probably won because more of his supporters voted this time. Many of them live far from polling stations, the places where people vote. After the first round, he changed his campaign and talked more to young voters. Flávio's father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years for planning a coup, an illegal attempt to take power. Flávio promised to fight crime and to work closely with American President Donald Trump.
The result may lead to a court case. Just three minutes before voting ended, a judge gave voters two more hours. Both candidates had asked for this because of bus problems and heavy rain. The decision caused confusion, and Bolsonaro may take legal action. A Bolsonaro ally says the judge was once Lula's lawyer. The Guardian calls the result bad news for Trump, who had hoped Bolsonaro would win.
