Fireworks erupted, car horns blared and chants of “Lula, Lula” echoed along São Paulo’s iconic Paulista Avenue as throngs commemorated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s decisive victory in Sunday’s runoff election.
Supporters waved Brazilian flags, danced, sang and embraced one another, many overcome with emotion. The celebrations continued into Monday, with jubilant scenes unfolding in cities nationwide.
The leftist president secured 51.8 % of the valid votes, while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro garnered 48.2 %, handing Lula a fourth term by a margin of roughly 4.4 million votes, according to the Superior Electoral Court.
Lula reversed a first‑round deficit against his right‑wing opponent, but Bolsonaro has refused to concede and indicated he will seek to have the result annulled.
