Lula clinches historic fourth term in Brazil
Sao Paulo, BRAZIL—Joyful cheers of “Let’s go, Lula!” rose from the jubilant crowd again and again as Brazilians paraded down Sao Paulo’s Paulista Avenue on Sunday, celebrating the leftist leader’s improbable election win.
Thousands of people spilled onto the streets following President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory over his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro.
Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, joined the parade, leaning out of the sunroof of his car with a megaphone in his hand and his trademark rasp more hoarse than ever.
“I just had to tell you that I love you. Tomorrow, the fight continues,” he said.
Lula received 51.8 percent of the vote compared to 48.2 percent for former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son, who has refused to acknowledge the result. He had a lead of nearly 4.4 million votes.
“I feel so happy!” 43-year-old Anna Zanatta told Agence France-Presse (AFP) before bursting into tears of joy.
Vote vs Trump
“Lula’s victory represents many things for us: freedom, our democracy, our history,” she said, waving a flag bearing the message “Antifascist Action.”
Zanatta viewed a hypothetical Bolsonaro victory as a “threat” to Latin America’s largest democracy.
“I was born under a dictatorship, and I promised my granddaughter that we Brazilians would never go through that again,” she said, referring to the military regime that ruled from 1964 to 1985.
Lula’s reelection provides relief to critics of widening US influence in Latin America.
Bolsonaro asked for the election results to be annulled after an evening of chaos at some polling places that followed a last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours.
Lula’s triumph bucks a regional trend of victories for right-of-center presidential candidates allied with Trump. It also means Latin America’s largest economy, with a gross domestic product of $2.6 trillion per year, will likely continue defying Trump’s demands, despite the pressure of increased tariffs.
‘Not anyone’s backyard’
Speaking to his supporters, thousands of whom gathered on Sao Paulo’s main artery and in Rio de Janeiro’s Cinelandia Square, Lula expressed his gratitude to the Brazilian people, and pledged to respect all Brazilians, regardless of gender or religion. He also attacked Bolsonaro.
“This was a defeat for denialism and lies. I must confess that every time I attended a debate, I felt embarrassed,” he said.
He also doubled down on his commitment to Brazil’s sovereignty.
“Either the homeland remains free, or we die for Brazil,” he said. “This country will not accept being anyone’s backyard.”
Doorman Alfonso dos Reis, 64, carried a sign reading “Lula again with the strength of the people” alongside a photo of the president.
Fireworks boomed and cars honked their horns as the crowd marched down Sao Paulo’s main avenue.
Lula appeared alongside lawmaker Andre Janones, who created the “Lula’s Army” WhatsApp channel which surged to 10.8 million followers during the second-round campaign.
Lula’s supporters attribute his comeback in part to the lawmaker’s digital battle.
“I owe this victory to the rebellious youth who rose up to defend democracy,” Lula said.
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