Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a new presidential term in Brazil, after beating his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro.
Afrasianet - Brazil's electoral commission has confirmed the re-election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as the country's president in a run-off.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva won a new presidential term, after beating his right-wing rival Flavio Bolsonaro in the second round of the presidential election, which took place on Sunday.
Data from Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court, after counting votes from polling stations, showed Lula receiving 51.79% (64,256,232 votes) of valid votes, compared to Bolsonaro's 48.21% (59,826,041 votes).
Lula, 80, is vying for a new term that would allow him to take the presidency for a fourth time, against Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who ran under the right-wing banner.
The second round came after Bolsonaro topped the results of the first round in early October, with 47.03% of the valid votes, compared to 45.16% for Lula, according to official results.
The election witnessed sharp political polarization between Lula's leftist camp and Bolsonaro's right-wing camp, with issues of the cost of living, corruption and security at the top of voters' concerns.
The elections also carried dimensions related to Brazil's foreign relations, particularly with the United States.
Lula: Brazil faces the choice of national sovereignty or "kneeling" to the United States
Lula has accused U.S. President Donald Trump's administration of using tariffs and other means to interfere in Brazilian affairs, while Bolsonaro has presented himself as a Trump ally.
President Lula da Silva has stressed that the second round of the presidential electionre presents a choice between preserving national sovereignty and "bowing down" to the United States, referring to his rival Jair Bolsonaro's relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Lula, speaking at an election rally in northeastern Brazil, said that entitlement is not limited to regular elections, but is about defining the country's identity and future, adding: "Do we want Brazil to accept the Brazilian flag, or Brazil to kneel before the American flag? ".
During his election campaign, Lula focused on the slogan of national sovereignty and criticized the Bolsonaro family's ties to the Trump administration, particularly over the U.S. tariffs imposed on Brazil.
Lula da Silva also defended his country's sovereignty, stressing that Brazil cannot accept politicians who resort to foreign governments to interfere in its elections and internal affairs.
He stressed that the choice at the ballot box will determine the country's trajectory and the future of Brazilian families, calling on voters to make their decision based on their vision of the Brazil they want to build.
The Brazilian president said that defending sovereignty also includes his country's ability to control its strategic resources, develop technology, and add value to what it produces.
Lula has endorsed the National Rare Minerals and Strategic Policy, which establishes mechanisms to stimulate research, refining and the transfer of these resources within Brazilian territory, including tax incentives, financing and requirements for investment in research and innovation, as well as partnerships with foreign countries, without compromising sovereignty over resources.
Lula da Silva also refused to accredit the US ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez, stressing that "it will not happen until after the elections in the country."
