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Lula da Silva wins fourth term as Brazil President; Modi congratulates

26 October 20261 min read
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSLula da Silva winsfourth term as BrazilPresident; Modicongratulates26 October 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been re-elected President of Brazil after winning the runoff of 25 October 2026. On 26 October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on X.

Key facts

  • Opponent: right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
  • Result: as announced by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Lula got 51.79% and Bolsonaro 48.21%.
  • Margin: a little over 2.6 million votes (AIR).
  • Turnout: about 80.8% of the more than 158 million eligible voters.
  • First round: held on 4 October; Bolsonaro led and no one crossed 50%. Lula became the first candidate in democratic Brazil to win the final round after finishing second in the first.
  • Fourth term: not consecutive; he will be sworn in on 5 January 2027 at the age of 80.
CandidateVote share (TSE)Votes
Lula da Silva51.79%64,256,232
Flavio Bolsonaro48.21%59,826,041

About Lula and India-Brazil ties

Lula first served two back-to-back terms from 2003 to 2010 and returned by winning the 2022 election. In his message, Modi called the result a remarkable re-election and said he wanted to deepen and broaden the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, work together in many sectors, and pursue shared Global South priorities.

Exam angle

  • Brazil’s President: Lula da Silva (fourth term).
  • Runoff rival: Flavio Bolsonaro, Liberal Party.
  • Election body: Superior Electoral Court (TSE).
  • India and Brazil share a Strategic Partnership.

Test yourself

1. Whom did Lula da Silva defeat in Brazil's presidential runoff held on 25 October 2026?

Lula defeated Senator Flavio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party.

2. Which term as Brazil's President will Lula da Silva begin on 5 January 2027?

The 2026 win gives Lula a fourth, non-consecutive term.

3. According to TSE figures, what vote share did Lula da Silva get in the 2026 runoff?

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court reported Lula at 51.79% and Bolsonaro at 48.21%.

Sources: PIB, AIR, LIGA.net, Qatar Tribune