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“LULA!” Progressives Hail Brazil’s Stunning Election Result

“The people united will never be defeated!” declares Zohran Mamdani.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses supporters during a victory rally after winning a fourth term in the presidential runoff on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.

Progressive leaders in the United States joined with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and global advocates for democracy in celebrating Sunday’s remarkable election victory by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. After trailing far-right challenger Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in the country’s first round of voting earlier this month, Lula was written off by many analysts, who suggested that the largest country in South America would join its regional neighbors in swinging to the right.

Yet, after an energetic second-round campaign in which the 80-year-old former labor leader and veteran left-wing advocate rallied young people to boost turnout, Lula won a fourth term by 4.4 million votes – a comfortable 52-48 margin over a rival who was closely aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump. The New York Times recognized the result as a “stunning reversal,” while NBC announced, “Lula halts pro-Trump wave with Brazil........

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