Lula holds off far right with victory in Brazil presidential election

Leftist president mounts stunning comeback after unexpected first-round loss galvanised supporters of Flavio Bolsonaro. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has defeated right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s contentious presidential race, pulling off a remarkable comeback after a first-round loss that galvanised the country’s political right. Shortly after 9:00pm Brasilia time on Sunday (00:00 GMT), Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court called the race for Lula, who had earned more than 51 percent of the vote. More than 64 million ballots were cast for the incumbent. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, netted 48 percent, or north of 59 million ballots. More than 4 million votes separated the two candidates, with the final votes still being counted.

Coughing and audibly hoarse, Lula took to a flag-draped podium shortly to give his victory speech. He acknowledged clashes ahead, including with his legislative agenda. “I do not choose the Congress,” he said. “It was the people who chose it, and it is with them that I will vote, work and get things approved.” He also thanked the voters who cast their ballots “to secure democracy in the country”. With his victory, Lula has made history. No other politician in modern Brazilian history has lost the first round of a presidential election only to win the second round. “A historic turning point for democracy,” Edinho Silva, the head