Lula wins fourth term in Brazil but faces hostile Congress and divided country

Veteran Brazilian left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been re-elected for his fourth term, defeating his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula, who served two terms from 2003 to 2010 and another from 2023, faced a challenging re-election campaign. Bolsonaro narrowly defeated Lula in the first round of voting, but Lula's campaign reignited following his loss, fueled by street demonstrations and a strong social media push.

Brazil's left-wing leader now faces the most difficult political landscape since his first presidency in 2003, with opposition from the United States and a divided country. While US President Donald Trump did not directly endorse Bolsonaro, the White House likely preferred a conservative leader for the country of 213 million people.

Lula's victory will be welcomed by environmentalists, as they feared Bolsonaro's presidency would further harm the Amazon rainforest. However, the result highlights the deep political divisions in Brazil, with more than 48% of voters supporting Bolsonaro. Lula must now navigate a hostile Congress and govern alongside the most right-wing legislature in Brazil's democratic era, presenting an even greater challenge than in his previous terms.