President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil’s runoff with 51.8% of the vote, the Buenos Aires Times reported, as supporters in São Paulo celebrated and invoked democracy.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing challenger and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, received 48.2%, the outlet reported. The Buenos Aires Times said he had not acknowledged the result. It reported that Flávio had led the first round and held a modest polling advantage before the Oct. 25 runoff.
The newspaper described thousands celebrating on São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue. Anna Zanatta, 43, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the victory represented “freedom” and “our democracy.” She said she was born during Brazil’s military regime, which lasted from 1964 to 1985, and had promised her granddaughter the country would not return to that period.
The Buenos Aires Times quoted doorman Alfonso dos Reis, 64, as saying, “We’re going to build a much better country.” Theater actor Mateus Freitas, 33, told AFP he saw the result as a victory for minorities and workers and described Lula’s government as inclusive. Architect Felipe Rodrigues, 53, told AFP he was glad Lula continued efforts to improve the lives of poor people.
Freitas also shouted “No amnesty,” referring to efforts to free Jair Bolsonaro. The Buenos Aires Times said the former president is serving a 27-year sentence over an effort to overturn the 2022 election he lost to Lula. The outlet cast Lula’s victory as counter to a regional shift to the right that it associated with recent gains championed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lula’s campaign held a rally on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach the day before the vote, as EconoTimes reported in its pre-runoff coverage.
