Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has become the president of Brazil for the second time after defeating incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in a narrow race.
‘Lula’ first served as president of Brazil from 2003 until 2010 but was unable to run in the last election in 2018 because he was imprisoned on corruption charges. These were since annulled and he was able to run in the subsequent 2022 election.
His victory had been seen as a huge win for the left, as well as a positive step for climate action in Brazil. Bolsonaro spent his time in the presidency opening up deforestation in the Amazon and not believing in climate change. His policies actively sought to make it worse.
He was also criticised for treatment of indigenous populations in Brazil.
The election had been mired by dirty tricks from the Bolsonaro camp, with reports on election day that his loyalists were trying to prevent people from going to the polls in more Lula leaning districts.
This was reflected in the margin of victory – 51.7-49.3. A far narrower result than had been anticipated.
There were fears that Bolsonaro would not accept the result if he were defeated, and worries of a US-style insurrection. This has so-far not come to pass, although Bolsonaro has yet to make a public statement about his defeat.
Leaders around the world were quick to acknowledge the result though, in a bid to cut off any opportunity to cast doubt over the vote.
Despite his own defeat, Bolsonaro’s loyalists won a majority in the Brazilian Congress, making it difficult for Lula to pass much of his left-leaning agenda.
Lula is a staunch left-winger and has been welcomed by left-wing parties around the world. It was also met with praise from across the world as a defeat for the far-right. Bolsonaro was dubbed ‘Trump of the tropics’ by the ex-President himself.
However, his views on Ukraine will worry many in the west, having suggested earlier this year that President Volodmir Zelensky is as responsible as Putin for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
