Leftist candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to become the next president of Brazil after defeating current far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro by a very small margin.

Sunday's votes are still counted, but the results seemed clear that Brazilians are bringing back the former president, with Bolsonaro becoming the first incumbent president to fail to win reelection in 34 years.

According to New York Times, the election result was a "rejection of Bolsonaro's far-right movement and his divisive four years in office." 

The now-lame duck president had developed a reputation for destroying the Amazon, favoring businesses over the environment, and emboldening many Brazilians to discriminate against women, the LGBTQ community, indigenous people, and more.

It was a stunning revival for Lula as the victory took him from the presidency to prison to redemption by Brazil's Supreme Court and then back to the presidency.

Brazil Election: Lula Defeats Jair Bolsonaro By a Narrow Margin

With over 99% of the votes counted on Sunday night, BBC reported that Lula won by a very narrow margin, winning 50.83% of all valid votes, to almost 49.2% for Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula won with votes from some of the poorest in Brazil in an election where much was at stake, from the fate of the Amazon rainforest to indigenous and LGBTQ rights, as well as Brazil's COVID-19 response, which Bolsonaro bungled and left nearly 700,000 people dead in Brazil.

Lula himself took to Twitter and posted a photo of his hand on the Brazilian flag with the caption "Democracia."

His supporters also celebrate the big victory, with many congratulating Brazil's once and future president.  As of writing, Bolsonaro has yet to react to the election results. It is widely feared that he would follow former President Donald Trump's lead and conduct a coup and reject the election results. 

He has so far tried to spew false information that the elections are rigged and that Brazil's election body, headed by Supreme Court justices, is helping Lula win without any evidence. 

READ NEXT: Lula: Former Brazilain President, Current Presidential Front-Runner, and Secret Billionaire?

Brazilians and the World React to Lula's Victory

The elections in Brazil have been largely divisive, but with Lula's victory, many have been celebrating on the streets. Among them are members of the LGBTQ community, who had been victimized by Jair Bolsonaro's rhetoric.

Paulinho, a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and an avid Lula supporter, has been celebrating the new soon-to-be president's victory on Twitter.

Many around the world also welcomed Lula's victory as this signaled a shift against fascist rhetoric made famous by far-right leaders like Bolsonaro and Trump.

World leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have both congratulated Lula's victory on Twitter. Lula also retweeted their message of congratulations.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro supporters, mostly his evangelical base, tearfully held prayers as their candidate lost the elections. Many can be seen kneeling in sadness as the results sink in.

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READ MORE: Brazil: US Diplomats Assure Swift Recognition of Election Winner Amid Fears of Jair Bolsonaro Pulling Donald Trump Move

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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