Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will return as the Brazilian President after he edged out incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff election on Sunday.
With over 99% of the votes counted on the runoff, Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court declared leftist Lula the next president with 50.9% of the votes. Bolsonaro won only 49.1% of the votes. The 77-year-old Lula's inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 1, according to Reuters.
The runoff elections were held as both candidates failed to get the majority during the polls held earlier this month.
The election also marks a comeback for the 77-year-old Lula who was cast away in 2018 after being accused of corruption. The 19-month prison term had sidelined him from contesting the 2018 presidential election against Bolsonaro, but Brazil’s Supreme Court annulled the prosecution last year on the ground that the judge had colluded with prosecutors.
Though Bolsonaro had earlier questioned the integrity of the electronic voting system, stating that he may not concede if he lost, he remained silent on Sunday night after the results were announced. Some of his allies, however, came out publicly to acknowledge his defeat. Reports added that he did not call Lula to congratulate his win either.
Lula da Silva, meanwhile, thanked all Brazilians. "The people who voted for me, the people who voted for the opponent, who went to the polls, who consented to fulfill their civilizing commitment of citizenship, I want to congratulate you,” he was quoted by CNN Brasil.
This is also the first time since Brazil’s 1985 return to democracy that the sitting president has failed to win reelection.
Polarized society
Reminiscent of the US elections, the Brazilian presidential polls also come amid high polarization in the country. Many speculate Lula's win is a huge setback for the fiery far-right populism of
Bolsonaro, who was heavily criticized for his handling of the Covid pandemic in the country that witnessed one of the worst death tolls. He is also known for his controversial statements and conservative agenda, which has many supporters.
His government is known for its support of ruthless exploitation of land in the Amazon, leading to record deforestation figures.
Thomas Traumann, an independent political analyst, told AP that the Lula's win is akin to US President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, saying da Silva is inheriting an extremely divided nation. "The huge challenge that Lula has will be to pacify the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lula, a former metalworker and union leader, was Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010, and was instrumental in helping lift tens of millions of Brazilians from poverty into the middle class. He is also credited with building an extensive social welfare program during his tenure.
The new president has also promised to ensure that Brazilians "put down arms that never should have been taken up." He has also invited global cooperation to preserve the Amazon rainforest and make global trade fairer.
