Brasília: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured a historic fourth presidential term, according to the country's electoral court, in a surprising election result that defied opinion polls and the broader trend of anti-incumbent sentiment across Latin America.

Lula, 80, defeated Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in a closely watched runoff election. Flávio had led the first round of voting but ultimately lost to Lula by more than four million votes.

The result marks another remarkable political comeback for Lula, one of the most influential figures in Brazilian politics and a prominent symbol of the global political left.

Bolsonaro Challenges Election Result

Following his defeat, Flávio Bolsonaro indicated that he would seek to have the election results annulled, citing a Supreme Court ruling that extended voting hours by two hours on Sunday.

His challenge echoes the reaction of his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his defeat to Lula in the 2022 presidential election. Jair Bolsonaro was subsequently sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup to remain in power, according to the report.

However, analysts believe that overturning the latest election result would be difficult, given the scale of Flávio Bolsonaro's defeat and the campaign's own request for extended voting hours because of rain in southern Brazil.

Another Political Comeback for Lula

Lula's victory represents another major comeback in a political career spanning five decades. He previously served as Brazil's president from 2003 to 2011 before returning to power in 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election.

His political future appeared uncertain after he was imprisoned between 2018 and 2019 following a corruption conviction that was later overturned. The decision cleared the way for his return to electoral politics.

According to the report, Lula has become the first candidate since Brazil's return to democracy in the 1980s to win the presidency after finishing second in the first round of voting.

Focus on Workers and Low-Income Families

During his campaign, Lula combined pragmatic economic policies with populist proposals focused on improving living standards for workers and low-income families.

Among his key promises was the introduction of free public transport nationwide on weekends. The proposal would require formal submission to Congress.

He also pledged a 15 per cent increase in benefits under his flagship social welfare programme, an initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable households.

Lula has also championed a constitutional amendment that became Brazil's most significant labour reform in decades. The measure received broad support in Congress.

Implications for Latin American Politics

Lula's victory is being viewed as a significant development in Latin American politics, where several countries have recently witnessed electoral gains by right-wing candidates.

His fourth-term victory strengthens his position as one of the region's most prominent political leaders and signals continued support among voters for his social welfare agenda.

The result also sets the stage for renewed political debate over economic reforms, public spending, workers' rights and Brazil's future direction.