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Brazil’s veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was elected president Sunday by a hair’s breadth, beating his far-right rival in a down-to-the-wire poll that split the country in two, election officials said.
The former president, who won a third term in office, stood neck and neck with incumbent Jair Bolsonaro throughout a nail-biting count, however he emerged victorious with 50.83 percent of the vote to 49.17 percent for his rival, according to election authorities who declared him the victor.
All eyes are now on Bolsonaro and whether he will accept the result.
A victory would be a remarkable political comeback for the charismatic-but-tarnished Lula, less than five years after he was imprisoned for 18 months on controversial corruption charges that were later annulled by the Supreme Court, which ruled the lead judge in his case was biased.
Voting stations in the capital, Brasilia, were already crowded by morning and, at one of them, retired government worker Luiz Carlos Gomes said he would vote for da Silva.
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, center, hold hands with a supporter after voting in a presidential run-off election in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Supporters await the results on presidential runoff day on October 30, 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tonight, voters in the world’s fourth-largest democracy will today decide whether left-wing former leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, will beat current far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Pictured: Bolsonaro shortly after casting his vote in Rio de Janerio this morningÂ
Former President of Brazil, and candidate for the 2022 election Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva speaking at a press conference shortly after casting his vote his morning in Sao Bernardo do Campo, near Sao Paulo, Brazil
A supporter of Brazil’s former president and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts while gathering with fellow supporters on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off
Supporters of incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, who is running for another term, wait for election results after polls closed
A supporter of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro holds her hands in prayer as she watches partial results after polls closed in a presidential run-off election in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
With 98.8% of the votes tallied, da Silva had 50.8% and Bolsonaro 49.2%, and the election authority said da Silva’s victory was a mathematical certainty.
Da Silva, the country’s president from 2003-2010, has promised to restore Brazil’s more prosperous past, yet faces headwinds in a polarised society.
It is a stunning return to power for da Silva, 77, whose 2018 imprisonment over a corruption scandal sidelined him from that year’s election, paving the way for then-candidate Bolsonaro’s win and four years of far-right politics.
His victory marks the first time since Brazil’s 1985 return to democracy that the sitting president has failed to win re-election. His inauguration is scheduled to take place on January 1.
‘He’s the best for the poor, especially in the countryside,’ said Gomes, 65, who hails from Maranhao state in the poor northeast region. ‘We were always starving before him.’
Bolsonaro had been leading throughout the first half of the count and, as soon as da Silva overtook him, cars in the streets of central Sao Paulo began honking their horns.
People in the streets of Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema neighbourhood could be heard shouting: ‘It turned!’
Da Silva’s headquarters in a central Sao Paulo hotel only erupted once the final result was announced, underscoring the tension that was a hallmark of this race.
‘Four years waiting for this,’ said Gabriela Souto, one of the few supporters allowed in due to heavy security.
Outside Bolsonaro’s home in Rio de Janeiro, ground-zero for his support base, a woman on a lorry delivered a prayer over a speaker, then sang excitedly, trying to generate some energy.
But supporters decked out in the green and yellow of the flag barely responded. Many perked up when the national anthem played, singing along loudly with hands over their hearts.
Most opinion polls before the election gave a lead to da Silva, universally known as Lula, though political analysts agreed the race grew increasingly tight in recent weeks.
For months, it appeared that da Silva was headed for easy victory as he kindled nostalgia for his presidency, when Brazil’s economy was booming and welfare helped tens of millions join the middle class.
But while da Silva topped the Oct. 2 first-round elections with 48 per cent of the vote, Bolsonaro was a strong second at 43 per cent, showing opinion polls significantly underestimated his popularity. Many Brazilians support Bolsonaro’s defense of conservative social values and he has shored up support with vast government spending.
Concerns have now been raised that if Bolsonaro, dubbed ‘Trump of the Tropics’, were to lose, he may refuse to admit defeat.
Supporters of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate partial results after polls closed in the country’s presidential run-off election, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of the Brazilian presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate the results of the second round of presidential elections, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of Brazil’s former president and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva kiss as they gather on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Brasilia, Brazil
A supporter of Brazilian former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during the vote count of the presidential run-off election in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Supporters of candidate Jair Bolsonaro of Liberal Party gather on presidential runoff day on October 30, 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, celebrate partial results after polls closed in the country’s presidential run-off election, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of the Brazilian presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate the results of the second round of presidential elections, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A woman who supports Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva holds her hands in prayer with tears in her eyes as she waits the results in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Supporters of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate while watching the vote count of the presidential run-off election at the Paulista avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Supporters of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate while watching the vote count of the presidential run-off election at the Paulista avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil
A supporter of Brazil’s former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cries during Brazil’s presidential election run-off, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Supporters of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva light flares during the vote count of the presidential run-off election at the Paulista avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Supporters of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro gesture while driving past Bolsonaro’s home, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A supporter of Brazil’s President and presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro holds a Brazilian flag, during the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Brasilia, Brazil
A supporter of Brazil’s President and presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro wipes her face during the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Brasilia, Brazil
Supporters of Brazilian President and re-election candidate Jair Bolsonaro react to the results of the second round of presidential elections
A supporter of Brazilian President and re-election candidate Jair Bolsonaro lowers his head as results come in
If he fails to accept the election result, there are fears his armed supporters will take to the streets in protest.
But on Friday night, he pledged to respect the election result, though possible accusations of rigging and backlash from his supporters loom large.
One concerned voter, on her way to a Lula rally in Sao Paolo, said she was concerned that Bolsonaro would ignore the electorate’s decision.
Marcia dos Santos, 27, said: ‘He is a dictator by nature, he and his family have attacked our state structures.
‘Everyone is worried. My mother does not want me to be out on the streets after the result. But we have got to come out, we need to come out to defend the vote.’
Her friend, 33-year-old teacher Antonia Luiz added: ‘We have had disaster after disaster with Bolsonaro. This is a chance to start putting the country right with Lula. He is a good man.’
The President previously came under fire for his disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which left more than 680,000 dead in Brazil, as well as his vitriolic style and disdain for political correctness.
However, in recent months, falling unemployment figures, slowing inflation and a recovering economy have given him a boost.
Concerns have now been raised that if Bolsonaro, dubbed ‘Trump of the Tropics’, was to lose, he could refuse to admit defeat. If he refuses to accept the election result, there are fears his armed supporters will take to the streets in protest. Pictured: Brazilian’s heading to the polling station this afternoon
Mr Trump, who continues to falsely insist he beat President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, referred to the left-wing candidate as ‘a radical left lunatic who will quickly destroy your country’.
He had previously referred to the current Brazilian President as a ‘great friend’.
Mr Trump said: ‘Jair Bolsonaro and I have become great friends over the past few years for the people of the United States.
‘He is a wonderful man and has my complete and total endorsement.’
Supporters of Brazil’s current President Bolsonaro on election day in the country’s capital Brasilia. The President previously came under fire for his disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which left more than 680,000 dead in Brazil, as well as his vitriolic style and disdain for political correctness
President Biden’s administration quickly stepped in to add that it will move quickly to recognise whichever leader is democratically elected.
The government urged Brazil to ensure a ‘free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful’ election, adding that it would review relations with the South American country if anti-democratic methods are used.
Earlier this month, one of Bolsonaro’s sons, Eduardo, met Trump supporters in the US where he alleged that his father would be ‘the victim of the largest electoral fraud ever seen’ – words almost identical to Trumps after he lost the 2020 election.
During the first-round election on October 2, 77-year-old Lula narrowly won the first-round election, entering the finale as the slight favourite.
Brazilians vote in Runoff Elections in New York to elect from one of the two Presidential candidates Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva
Brazilians smile in New York as they vote in Runoff Elections to elect from one of the two Presidential candidates
A Lula supporter leaves his phone with election officials at a polling station before casting their vote in the ballot in Florida. Florida has the second largest number of Brazilians voting in the United States
A voter in the polling station in New York, where Brazilians take part in Runoff elections for the presidential candidatesÂ
A Brazilian voter in the polling station in New York, where nationals can take part in Runoff elections for the presidential candidates
Brazilians have been voting in New York during Runoff elections for the presidential candidates
Supporters of Brazil’s former President Lula and candidate of the left Workers Party enjoy a beer at a bar in downtown Sao Paulo on election day
The final poll from Datafolha institute on Saturday revealed that 52 per cent of voters were in favour of the left-wing candidate, with 48 per cent supporting the current leader. But when Bolsonaro was last elected, he performed better than any predictions.
President Bolsonaro was seen wearing a yellow and green t-shirt casting his vote in Rio de Janeiro minutes after the polls opened while Lula voted in his hometown of São Bernardo do Campo in São Paulo state.
Greeting supporters outside the polling station, Bolsonaro said: ‘God willing, we’ll be victorious later today. Or even better, Brazil will be victorious.’
The left-wing candidate, however, said he was ‘confident in the victory of democracy’ and that he would seek to ‘restore peace’ in the divided nation if elected.
Brazilians still remain split over which man is best to lead their country as the fraught election closes.
Eliane de Oliveira, a 61-year-old lawyer who voted in Rio, said: ‘I think this has been the best government Brazil has ever had.’
She added that she was happy to have a Government that ‘was not corrupt’ alluding to the corruption scandal surrounding Lula.
He is credited with building an extensive social welfare programme during his 2003-2010 tenure that helped lift tens of millions into the middle class as well as presiding over an economic boom.
The man universally known as Lula left office with an approval rating above 80% – then-US president Barack Obama called him “the most popular politician on Earth”.
Supporters of Brazil’s President Bolsonaro cheer on the leader on election day in Brazil’s capital city BrasiliaÂ
But he then became mired in a massive corruption scandal and was jailed for 18 months, before his convictions were thrown out last year. The Supreme Court found the lead judge was biased, but Lula was not exonerated.
If he wins, he faces a hostile Congress dominated by Bolsonaro lawmakers and allies.
Others are happy to support the former leader. One P.E. teacher, Gustavo Souza, voted for Lula in ‘the hope of improving people’s lives’.
Like many, he said he was ‘scared’ about the outcome and had fears that Bolsonaro would not accept the result.
The teacher added: ‘People have become so radical. They will need some maturity… or it will turn into the third or fourth world war.’
Brazil’s 156 million voters on the electoral ballot will cast their vote tonight until 8pm UK time. The result of the election is expected to follow within a matter of hours.
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