Lula da Silva wins Brazil presidential election

Left-wing ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won the presidential election in Brazil. Lula got 50.83 percent of the votes in the runoff, the electoral office in Brasília announced on Sunday (local time). The right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro received 49.17 percent.

For months, the election campaign was marked by serious mutual accusations and false information spread on the Internet. Both candidates fought for every vote until the end. President Bolsonaro repeatedly cast doubt on the electoral system and indicated that he might not recognize the result. Some of his supporters were blatantly calling for a military coup.

The election has significant implications beyond Brazil's borders. As a huge carbon reservoir, the Amazon region plays an important role in the fight against global climate change. Given the tense situation on the energy and food markets due to the Ukraine war, Brazil with its enormous natural resources is also an important trading partner.

"The expectation is a victory, for the good of Brazil," Bolsonaro said after casting his vote in Rio de Janeiro. The ex-military man wore a yellow T-shirt that said "Brasil" and showed the victory sign. “God willing, we shall be victorious today. Or rather, Brazil will be victorious today.” Lula kissed his ballot paper as he cast his ballot. He said, "This election is about choosing between democracy and barbarism, democracy or fascism."

Left-leaning ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva narrowly won the first round of Brazil's presidential elections. Still, many see far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro as the favorite ahead of the runoff. Latin America correspondent Tobias Kaufman reports for WELT.

Source: WORLD / Nele Würzbach

In addition to the president, governors were also elected in a dozen states on Sunday – for example in the most populous and economically strong state of São Paulo. In the first round, Bolsonaro's followers had already captured a number of important governorships. His Liberal Party (PL) will also be the strongest faction in Congress, ahead of Lula's Labor Party (PT).

PL MP Carla Zambelli caused a stir on Saturday when she pursued a man at gunpoint after a dispute in São Paulo. To prevent violence, the Supreme Electoral Court banned civilians from carrying arms in the days surrounding the runoff. Brazilian media quoted Zambelli as saying after exiting a police station on Sunday: “I will vote armed, including with a bulletproof vest. I will be armed and prepared.”

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