Brazil’s leftist former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sealed a stunning political comeback, beating far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in one of the most important and decisive elections in the country’s history.
With 99.97% of the votes counted, Silva, a former factory worker who became Brazil’s first working-class president exactly 20 years ago, had won 50.9% of the vote. Bolsonaro, a curtain-raiser who was elected in 2018, received 49.10%.
Addressing reporters at a Sao Paulo hotel, Lula vowed to reunify his country after a toxic race for power that has deeply divided one of the world’s largest democracies.
“We will live new times of peace, love and hope,” said the 77-year-old, who was sidelined from the 2018 election that saw Bolsonaro reclaim power after being jailed on corruption charges that were later dropped sides
“I will govern for 215 million Brazilians… and not only for those who voted for me. There are no two Brazils. We are one country, one people, one great nation,” he said to applause. “It is not in anyone’s interest to live in a country divided and in a constant state of war.”
A few streets away from Paulista Avenue, one of the city’s main arteries, Lula’s supporters gathered to celebrate his victory and the fall of a radical right-wing president whose presidency produced an environmental tragedy and saw nearly 700,000 Brazilians die from Covid.
“Our dream is coming true. We have to be free,” said Joe Kallif, a 62-year-old social activist who was among the cheering crowd. “Brazil was in a very dangerous place and now we are regaining our freedom. The last four years have been horrible.”
Gabrielly Soares, a 19-year-old student, jumped for joy as she commemorated the impending victory of a leader whose social policies helped her get a college education.
“I feel so happy… During four years of Bolsonaro I saw my family slide backwards and under Lula they flourished,” he said, a rainbow banner draped over his shoulders.
Ecstatic and tearful supporters of Lula – who won more than 59 million votes to Bolsonaro’s 57 – hugged and threw beer cans into the air.
“This means that we will have someone in power who cares about those at the bottom. Right now we have a person who does not care about the majority, us LGBT people,” Soares said. “Bolsonaro … is a bad person He doesn’t show an iota of empathy or solidarity with others. There is no way he can continue as president.”
There was also celebration in the region as leftist allies tweeted their congratulations. “Long live Lula,” said Colombia’s leader, Gustavo Petro.
The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, has celebrated “a new era in Latin American history”. “An era of hope and a future that begins right now,” he said.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador commemorated what he called a victory for “equality and humanism.”
Joe Biden issued a statement congratulating Lula on his election “after a free, fair and credible election.”
“I look forward to working together to continue the cooperation between our two countries in the coming months and years,” the US president said.
Justin Trudeau said: “The people of Brazil have spoken. I look forward to working with @LulaOficial to strengthen the partnership between our countries, to get results for Canadians and Brazilians, and to advance shared priorities like protecting the environment . Congratulations, Lula!”
Brazil’s former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who ruled before Lula’s historic election 20 years ago, tweeted: “Democracy has won, Brazil has won!”
French President Emmanuel Macron said Lula’s election “starts a new chapter in Brazil’s history”, while Spanish President Pedro Sánchez described Lula’s triumph as “progress and hope”.
The speed of the international reaction reflected widespread fears that Bolsonaro, a former army captain who has spent years attacking Brazil’s democratic institutions, was refusing to accept defeat. In the run-up to the election, he indicated he would contest a result he considered “abnormal”.
Outside Bolsonaro’s home in western Rio, there was dejection and anger as the news broke. “I’m angry,” said Monique Almeido, a 36-year-old beautician. “I don’t even know what to say.”
João Reis, a 50-year-old electrician, said he was convinced the vote had been rigged.
“It’s a fraud without a doubt, they manipulated the count. The armed forces must intervene”, he demanded.
What if they didn’t? “The population must take to the streets to demand military intervention so that we do not cede power to the communists.”
At Lula’s celebrations, the mood was very different, as the veteran leftist pledged to wage war on hunger, racism and combat the environmental destruction that has soared under Bolsonaro. “We will fight for zero deforestation in the Amazon… Brazil and the planet need the living Amazon.”
“We will restart the monitoring and surveillance of the Amazon and we will fight any kind of illegal activity,” he promised. “We are not interested in a war on the environment, but we are ready to defend it against any threat.”