Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured a historic fourth non-consecutive term in office after defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in the country’s presidential run-off election.
Lula’s victory has attracted reactions from political leaders across the world, with several presidents and politicians congratulating him and expressing hope for stronger diplomatic relations, economic cooperation and democratic governance.
The election result, announced on Sunday, October 25, 2026, was celebrated by Lula’s supporters, who flooded the streets to mark his return to power.
However, Flávio Bolsonaro has called for the election to be annulled, describing a two-hour extension of voting time as unacceptable. The extension was granted by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, although both presidential candidates had reportedly requested additional time for voting.
The dispute has sparked criticism from some conservative figures in the United States, while several progressive politicians have praised the outcome as a victory for democracy.
World Leaders Congratulate Lula
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated Lula in a message posted on X, declaring that democracy had prevailed and that the Brazilian people had won.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also congratulated the Brazilian president, expressing optimism about strengthening relations between Canada and Brazil.
Carney said both countries should seize the opportunity to expand trade, create new business opportunities, protect the environment and improve prosperity for their citizens.
Reactions From The United States
Reactions in the United States were divided, with conservative and progressive politicians expressing contrasting views about Lula’s victory.
Donald Trump Jr., son of US President Donald Trump, criticised the election process, focusing on the two-hour extension of voting time. He argued that the American mainstream media would have reacted differently if a conservative government had been involved in a similar situation.
Meanwhile, progressive Senator Bernie Sanders congratulated Lula on what he described as an extraordinary re-election victory.
Sanders praised the Brazilian president for standing up for workers and democracy, adding that he expected Lula to continue doing so during his next four years in office.
US Congressman Ro Khanna also welcomed the result, describing it as part of a wider global resistance against extremism. He argued that authoritarian leaders often attack democratic institutions because they fear the will of the people.
Khanna further urged President Donald Trump to respect the election outcome and avoid undermining Brazil’s electoral process.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also celebrated Lula’s victory, sharing a message emphasising unity among the people.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s media office equally expressed support for Brazil, highlighting shared commitments to democracy, environmental protection, workers’ rights and building an economy that benefits working families.
China And Russia Welcome Lula’s Victory
China congratulated Lula through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who said Beijing respected the announcement by Brazil’s electoral authorities that the president had won the second round of voting.
Guo added that China was willing to work with Brazil to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance their shared development objectives.
Russia also welcomed Lula’s re-election, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praising his contributions to relations between the two countries and to the development of the BRICS organisation.
Peskov expressed hope that cooperation between Moscow and Brasília would continue to grow under Lula’s new administration.
Latin American Leaders Express Support
Several Latin American leaders also congratulated Lula, expressing optimism about stronger regional cooperation and closer diplomatic relations.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described Lula’s victory as historic, saying it would sustain Brazil’s commitment to peace, national sovereignty and social justice.
He also expressed Cuba’s readiness to work with Brazil towards greater unity and integration across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast said he had spoken with Lula by telephone to congratulate him. Kast noted that both countries had opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation and work together to combat organised crime in the region.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori reaffirmed her country’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Brazil, particularly in regional integration, cooperation and the sustainable development of the Amazon, which both countries share.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz described Brazil and Bolivia as neighbouring countries with a shared history and common challenges. He said both nations would continue working together to strengthen relations and create more opportunities for their people.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino also congratulated the Brazilian people on the election and praised Lula’s victory, expressing his country’s commitment to continued cooperation with Brazil.
European Leaders Celebrate The Result
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Lula, saying the outcome represented a victory for democracy and multilateralism.
She also highlighted the growing partnership between Europe and Brazil, pledging continued cooperation on free and open trade, international rules and climate action.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described Lula’s victory as a progressive comeback. He expressed hope that the Brazilian result would inspire similar political developments in Spain and other countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for stronger strategic relations between France and Brazil, saying both nations had significant opportunities to deepen their partnership and contribute to a fairer world.
Other Leaders Congratulate Lula
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa congratulated Lula, noting that countries in the region shared common challenges and stood to benefit from closer cooperation.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña praised the Brazilian people for their democratic participation and said Brazil and Paraguay would continue working together on regional integration and development.
Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi also congratulated Lula after speaking with him, describing the election as an important democratic celebration.
Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner congratulated the Brazilian people and Lula, praising his ability to mobilise supporters and secure victory in the closely watched contest.
Lula Faces Expectations Ahead Of His New Term
Lula’s victory marks a significant development in Brazilian politics, with reactions from governments and politicians reflecting both support for his leadership and continuing divisions over the country’s political direction.
While several international leaders have expressed confidence in stronger economic, environmental and diplomatic cooperation with Brazil, the challenge to the election result by Flávio Bolsonaro has added controversy to the outcome.
As Lula prepares for another four-year term, attention is expected to focus on his ability to deliver on domestic promises, strengthen Brazil’s international partnerships and address concerns surrounding democracy and political divisions.
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