Lula's Historic Comeback: Democracy Wins in Brazil, But the Right Is Not Finished

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term on Sunday, staging a historic comeback in the runoff election. No candidate had ever lost the first round and won the second in Brazil—until now. Lula defeated Flávio Bolsonaro, who had led after the first round and was seeking to restore the legacy of his father, Jair Bolsonaro. The elder Bolsonaro is imprisoned for plotting a coup after his 2022 defeat. Lula's victory shows that defending democracy can still be a powerful argument at the ballot box, even against a rising right. Grassroots mobilization and social welfare policies helped turn the election into a referendum on Brazilian democracy. After losing the first round, Lula had limited room to win over supporters of other candidates. His best path was to mobilize people who had not voted and reconnect with working-class voters. The Workers' party increased its grassroots and digital campaigns, using social media influencers and messaging networks to reach supporters. Nearly 3 million more Brazilians voted in the runoff. Lula gained ground across the country, especially in major cities and his northeastern strongholds. Lula also addressed voters' immediate economic concerns. He pointed to his record of reducing poverty and inequality, and to increased benefits under Bolsa Família, the landmark welfare program he launched in 2003. He framed the election as a choice between protecting social gains and democratic institutions, or returning to the Bolsonaro family's attacks on both. He warned that his opponent would compromise Brazil's sovereignty by aligning himself with Donald Trump. After the celebration, learning the lessons will be vital. The rightward shift is neither inevitable nor irreversible—but progressives cannot rest for a moment.