jordan pulse -

Former leftist President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) was elected president of Brazil on Sunday, narrowly defeating his opponent, the far-right president, outgoing Jair Bolsonaro, by 50.83 percent to 49.17%, according to semi-final official results.



Lula, a 77-year-old icon of the left, served a prison sentence for corruption (2018-2019) before the judiciary ordered his release and Lula returned to power in the wake of a deeply polarized election campaign.



A number of world leaders congratulated the president-elect, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who considered that Lula's election "opens a new page in the history of Brazil."



US President Joe Biden congratulated Brazilian President-elect Lula da Silva on his victory in the elections, which he described as "free, fair and reliable."



Biden added in a statement that he looks forward to continued cooperation between the two countries.



Macron congratulated the leftist leader Lula da Silva, saying that his election as President of Brazil "opens a new page in the history" of this country.



"Together, we will unite our efforts to face the many common challenges and renew the bonds of friendship between our two countries," he said in a tweet.



More than 156 million Brazilians were invited on Sunday to choose their new president.



The polls had been expecting for months that former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) would win a third new term, while the outgoing, far-right president Jair Bolsonaro hopes to win a new term, especially after the unexpected results he achieved in the first session that was held. On October 2, 43% compared to 48% for Lula.



"AFP"