Lula, the great survivor, makes history
Lula, the great survivor, makes history newspress_en Mon, 10/26/2026 - 17:31 Politics It is perhaps the most dramatic comeback in Brazil’s political history. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom most pundits thought was dead and buried after the first round of voting, won Brazil’s presidential election on 25 October. Lula, the 80-year-old left-winger, received 52% of the vote, compared with 48% for…
In a dramatic political comeback, Brazil's former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, triumphed in the presidential election on October 25, 2026, receiving 52% of the vote compared to his hard-right opponent Jair Bolsonaro's 48%. Lula's victory marked the first time since democracy returned to Brazil in 1985 that a candidate lost the first round and still won the run-off.
Initially trailing by 2 million votes after the first round, Lula's impressive 10 million vote gain in less than three weeks baffled political pundits. Factors contributing to his turnaround include a tactical overhaul, government support, and widespread rejection of Bolsonaro's past. Lula scrapped his Panama hat, embraced digital communication, and rallied support through a WhatsApp channel, "Lula's Army," garnering over 10 million members.
He also promised to prioritize digital communications and welfare programs during his potential second term. Bolsonaro's controversial past, including alleged ties to violent militias and payments to a death squad leader, further alienated voters. In conclusion, Lula's remarkable victory solidifies his place among the exclusive club of democratically elected presidents with four terms, joining Franklin Roosevelt in history.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
