Congratulations poured in from around the world for Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after announcing his narrow victory over far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
Shortly after Lula was declared the winner, US President Joe Biden said, “I congratulate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his election as the next President of Brazil after free, fair and credible elections.”
French leader Emmanuel Macron also expressed his good wishes, saying the poll opened “a new page” in Brazil’s history.
“Together we will join forces to face the many common challenges and renew the bonds of friendship between our two countries,” said the French President minutes after the results were announced.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a heartfelt “Congratulations, Lula!” and said, “The people of Brazil have spoken.”
Trudeau said he looks forward to working with Lula, who served as Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010, to “advance common priorities — like protecting the environment.”
All eyes in western capitals were on the impact of the election on the future of the Amazon rainforest and the global climate emergency.
– Left wins –
President Alberto Fernandez of neighboring Argentina said Lula’s victory “opens a new era in Latin American history. A time of hope and future that begins today.”
“After so many injustices you went through, the Brazilian people elected you and democracy triumphed,” he added in a tweet.
After leaving office, Lula was jailed for 18 months on controversial and now debunked corruption charges.
Lula’s return to power in Brazil follows a string of leftist victories in Latin America.
Gustavo Petro, who became Colombia’s first left-wing president after his election this summer, tweeted: “Long live Lula”.
He later shared a map showing that the majority of Latin American countries are now run by left-wing governments.
Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, also from the left wing, tweeted: “Lula won, blessed people of Brazil. There will be equality and humanism.”
And Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered Lula a “big hug,” saying in a tweet: “Long live the peoples determined to be free, sovereign and independent!” Democracy triumphed in Brazil today.”
– BRICS reacts –
Congratulations were also given by other members of the BRICS group of emerging countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped for “constructive” cooperation.
“Please accept my sincere congratulations… the election results have confirmed your impressive political authority,” Putin said in a telegram to Lula.
Chinese President Xi Jinping wished the country “new successes”.
“I am willing to work with President-elect Lula to create joint plans of strategic magnitude and long-term perspective, and elevate the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level,” he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he “looks forward to working closely together to further deepen and expand our bilateral ties”.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also said his country “looks forward to working with the Brazilian government led by Mr da Silva”.
The European Union’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, joined the international chorus.
“Brazilian citizens went to the polls to elect their new president in a peaceful and well-organized election.”
Borrell was followed by other European well-wishers, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
“Congratulations Lula on your victory… Let’s work together for social justice, equality and against climate change,” Sanchez tweeted.
Baerbock said Brazil’s democracy was “the biggest winner” after the hard-fought election.
“Another big winner is the world’s climate,” she said.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he looked forward to working together on issues including “growing the world economy to protect the planet’s natural resources and promote democratic values”.
