New Delhi: Indian left and progressive politicians praised Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s fourth election victory in Brazil, calling it a triumph over the far-right and an inspiration for global workers’ movements. Several leaders termed the win an essential ‘democratic defence against right-wing expansion’, unifying working-class resistance.
CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby said that the victory is proof that the ‘far right’ can be defeated.
“Congratulations to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the people of Brazil on his historic fourth term, defeating Trump-backed Flávio Bolsonaro’s far-right divisive campaign. A victory for democracy and proof that the far right is not invincible,” he posted on Facebook.
The CPI(M) party handle also posted the same message on X.
All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora shared a photograph of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s left hand, missing its little finger, to highlight his working-class roots. She described the election outcome using a famous poetic metaphor on change.
“The powerful can kill one, two, or 100 roses, but they’ll never stop the arrival of spring,” she posted on X.
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‘India prepares for spring’
Elaborating on Lula’s triumph over the far-right, Bora added that “India waits and prepares for spring,” drawing a parallel between Brazil’s political shift and the democratic aspirations of youth and worker movements in India.
CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya congratulated the people of Brazil for successfully defeating the “US-backed far-right” in the Latin American country.
“Congratulations, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on being reelected President of Brazil. Well done, Brazil, for defeating the US-backed far right,” he posted on X.
Former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that Lula’s victory reaffirms the enduring relevance of Left politics and the power of the working class to shape its own future.
“From Brazil to India, the lesson is clear that confronting the far right requires a systemic alternative rooted in workers’ rights, social justice and equality. Lula’s victory renews hope in the struggle against the Sangh Parivar’s divisive politics and for a more just and democratic India,” he posted on X.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) MP John Brittas claimed that Lula defeated the US and its President Donald Trump, who had imposed sanctions on Brazil at every turn.
“His victory over the far right serves as an inspiration to struggles worldwide. He did not just defeat his main rival in Brazil, Flávio Bolsonaro; Lula also defeated Trump and the United States, which had imposed sanctions on Brazil at every turn. Despite American authorities carrying out campaigns and other manoeuvres to secure Bolsonaro’s victory in the Brazilian elections, Lula overcame them all to claim victory,” he posted on X.
Lula’s victory inspires the fight against the divisive politics of the Sangh Parivar in India, he said, adding, “It sends a clear message to our struggles: communal divisions cannot withstand the power of the working class.”
On Sunday, Lula secured an unprecedented fourth term as President of Brazil by winning a razor-thin runoff election against far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. He is associated with the Liberal Party.
According to the final official data released by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Lula captured 51.79 per cent of the vote. Bolsonaro, who initially led the first round of voting by over two million ballots, finished the runoff with 48.21 per cent. The election saw a robust voter turnout of 80.8 per cent.
This historic outcome marks the first time since Brazil’s 1985 return to democracy that a presidential candidate successfully overturned a first-round deficit to win the final runoff. The victory stops a string of consecutive right-wing electoral successes across Latin America.