The Brazilian leader defied polls and crushed his far right opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro.
(PLGNN) - Four years ago, former President Lula da Silva (who previously served two terms from 2003 to 2011) returned to the national spotlight to defeat far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro in the national election. Bolsonaro refused to concede, and his supporters stormed the capital in an attempt to overturn the election results. The Brazilian courts sentenced him to over 27 years in prison and banned him from holding public office until 2060.
(PLGNN) - Four years ago, former President Lula da Silva (who previously served two terms from 2003 to 2011) returned to the national spotlight to defeat far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro in the national election. Bolsonaro refused to concede, and his supporters stormed the capital in an attempt to overturn the election results. The Brazilian courts sentenced him to over 27 years in prison and banned him from holding public office until 2060.
Lula spent his term pursuing socialist policies, such as increasing the minimum wage and reducing the work week. Meanwhile, Jair Bolsonaro's son Flávio announced his plan to run for president; he vowed to strengthen relations with America and grant his father political amnesty.
Due to high crime and Brazil's cost of living crisis, Flávio surged past Lula in the first round of the 2026 election, earning 47% of the vote. Most people believed he would end up winning the general election; prediction markets gave him an 80% chance. However, his father's legacy came to haunt him and he ended up loosing the final election, earning 48.21% to Lula's 51.79%.
The election defied the rightwing wave sweeping the Western Hemisphere and denied Donald Trump a key South American ally. Flávio has refused to concede, alleging that the election was rigged. Lula will face the challenge of addressing Brazil's problems while confronting an increasingly insurgent right wing opposition.
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