Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1316 EAT on Monday 26 October 2026
Fireworks lit up the night sky in cities across Brazil as supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva flooded the streets to celebrate his re-election victory on Sunday.
In Rio de Janeiro, vuvuzelas echoed along beachfronts and central avenues as crowds draped in Brazil’s green-and-yellow national colours and Lula’s trademark red danced, sang campaign songs and chanted pro-democracy slogans.
In São Paulo, thousands of supporters dressed in red, the colour of Lula’s Workers’ Party, filled central squares and major roads, waving banners and setting off flares in scenes reminiscent of football title celebrations.
According to official results, Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, secured an unprecedented fourth term with 51.8 per cent of the vote, defeating his far-right rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who garnered 48.2 per cent.
Lula welcomed the high voter turnout, saying Brazilians had “voted to defend democracy”.
The celebrations unfolded despite Bolsonaro’s refusal to accept the results, as he vowed to seek the annulment of the vote following a Supreme Court decision to extend polling by two hours.
Across cities, Lula’s supporters viewed the victory as a strong rejection of authoritarianism and a renewed mandate for Brazil’s left.
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