How the World is Reacting to Lula da Silva Changing into Brazil’s President

Leaders world wide have congratulated Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won by a whisker within the South American nation’s runoff polls Sunday.

Lula—because the 77-year-old former president and veteran leftist is thought—edged out far-right populist incumbent Jair Bolsonaro after garnering 50.9% of the votes in comparison with Bolsonaro’s 49.1%. His victory marks a formidable political comeback since leaving workplace in 2010 and being jailed in 2017 after what he claims was a politically motivated probe into public corruption. Brazil’s Supreme Court docket overturned his conviction final yr, permitting him to run on this yr’s election.

Learn Extra: How Lula Won the Most Crucial Election in Brazil for Decades

“They tried to bury me alive and I’m right here,” Lula mentioned in a speech Sunday night time. He mentioned he needs to give attention to uniting the 215 million Brazilian individuals throughout poisonous political divisions. “There usually are not two Brazils. We’re one nation, one individuals—an ideal nation.”

As information of the consequence reverberated across the globe, political leaders counseled the Brazilian president-elect and affirmed the facility of democracy.

U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated Lula for his victory in Brazil’s “free, truthful and credible elections,” saying in a White Home assertion that he seemed ahead to cooperation between the 2 international locations.

On Twitter, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken additionally extended his congratulations to the Brazilian individuals “for exercising their proper to vote and reaffirming the energy of their democracy.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he hopes to work with Lula to advance shared pursuits, together with defending the atmosphere. Bolsonaro’s time as president noticed devastating relaxations in ecological safeguards, and Lula has promised a coverage overhaul geared in direction of preserving the Amazon rainforest and ushering in a inexperienced economic system for Brazil.

Learn Extra: Lula Talks to TIME About Ukraine, Bolsonaro, and Brazil’s Fragile Democracy

Throughout the Atlantic, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned Lula’s win “opens a brand new web page” in Brazil’s historical past. “Collectively we are going to be a part of forces to deal with the various widespread challenges and renew the bond of friendship between our two international locations,” he tweeted.

Josep Borell Fontelles, European Union Excessive Consultant for International Affairs and Safety Coverage, commended the “peaceable and well-organized election.” Fontelles mentioned he hopes to advance EU-Brazil relations beneath Lula.

Nearer to residence, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez celebrated “a brand new period” for Latin America’s historical past with Lula’s win. “A time of hope and future that begins right this moment,” Fernandez tweeted. “Right here you might have a companion to work with and dream large concerning the good lifetime of our peoples.”

Chilean leftist president Gabriel Boric, who was elected final yr, tweeted merely: “Lula. Pleasure!”

One other Latin American leftist, Colombia’s recently-elected President Gustavo Petro, additionally saved his post-election message quick: “Viva Lula.”

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro tweeted “a giant hug” to Lula, including, “Lengthy stay the peoples decided to be free, sovereign and unbiased! At the moment in Brazil democracy triumphed.”

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tweeted: “Lula received. The individuals of Brazil are blessed. There might be equality and humanity.”

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wished Lula success in advancing collaboration between the 2 nations, including that his win will “encourage democrats in every single place” and “give new hope for the Amazonian and world atmosphere.”

Lula’s inauguration is scheduled for January 1.

Bolsonaro, 67, a former military captain, has beforehand made baseless claims of widespread election fraud, elevating fears that he will not accept the results. He has thus far remained silent over Lula’s win.

Contact us at letters@time.com.