‘We are in extra time’ - Lula rallies supporters after trailing Bolsonaro
Key Takeaways
- Flavio Bolsonaro led with 47.03% of valid votes against Lula's 45.16%.
- Lula admitted he had expected to win the presidential election in the first round.
- Both candidates will contest the October 25 runoff, with Lula calling for a fresh campaign.
Lula admitted he expected a first-round victory but urged supporters to regroup after Flavio Bolsonaro finished ahead in the presidential contest.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for a fresh campaign ahead of the presidential runoff after trailing Flavio Bolsonaro in the first round.
Speaking at the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel on Sunday, the Workers' Party candidate admitted he had expected to secure enough votes to win outright.
"I would have liked to win the election in the first round. But it is not the first time I have thought that...the people like me to contest the second round. And I am very good at the knockouts. I do not lose, I do not." he said.
With 99 per cent of ballot boxes counted, data from the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) showed Bolsonaro with 47.03 per cent of valid votes and Lula with 45.16 per cent.
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Both candidates advanced to the second round scheduled for October 25.
"The result is often unexpected. We never achieve everything we wanted. I confess before you that I was convinced I would win the election in the first round," said Lula, who is seeking a fourth term as Brazil's president.
Lula described the runoff as a new phase of the contest and called on his supporters to begin campaigning again.
"The match is going to start. We are in extra time," he said.
The president said the new campaign would focus on persuading voters, including those who did not take part in the first round.
"It is the hour of the trial by fire. It is time to show the true picture of Brazil today. It is the Brazil we want. So, from tomorrow we begin a new campaign," he said.
Lula also defended proposals focused on technological and scientific development, rare earths and critical minerals, and strengthening Brazilian industry.
He highlighted education, research and technology as key parts of his platform and pledged to continue supporting universities, federal institutes, and technical and higher education.
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More than 158 million Brazilians were eligible to vote. Alongside the presidential contest, voters were choosing all 513 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 27 of the Senate's 81 members.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
