The re-election of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been welcomed by a number of European and international leaders who have praised his victory and stressed the importance of democracy, international co-operation and free trade.

Among the first to congratulate Lula were European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen, and European Council President António Costa.

They stressed the importance of partnership between the European Union and Brazil, especially within the framework of the trade agreement with the Mercedes bloc.

Reactions came from French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jeten and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who praised relations with Brazil and the need for co-operation in the face of global challenges.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez named Lula’s victory a great victory, claiming that the restoration of global progressive has just begun.

Among other international leaders who reacted include Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Ecuador President Daniel Noboa, Uruguay President Yamandú Orsi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Lula’s re-election is seen as an important development for relations between Brazil and its international partners, at a time when trade, climate and global order issues remain the focus of the political agenda.