𝗔𝗞𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗨𝗟𝗔’𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 Akbayan Party congratulates our sister party, Brazil’s Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores or PT), on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s remarkable victory in a fiercely contested election. His win reaffirms the power of working people to defend workers’ rights, protect the Amazon and the environment, uphold democracy, and reject hate, division, and authoritarianism. But the results also deliver a sobering message. The far right is far from defeated. Flavio Bolsonaro’s strong electoral showing underscores the continuing appeal of right-wing populism and the deep political divisions confronting Brazil. Across the world, democratic institutions remain under pressure from disinformation, political polarization, and movements seeking to undermine democracy. Lula’s victory is a cause for celebration, but it is no reason for complacency. For progressive movements everywhere, Brazil’s election underscores that defending democracy requires more than winning at the ballot box. It demands sustained grassroots organizing, solidarity across social movements, and concrete action to address poverty, inequality, and the grievances exploited by the far right. Democracy must deliver radical improvements in people’s lives if it is to withstand the forces seeking to weaken it. As a fellow progressive party, Akbayan celebrates this victory with the PT and the Brazilian working people. We draw inspiration from their determination to defend democratic institutions and pursue social justice, while recognizing that the struggle against authoritarianism remains unfinished. Lula’s victory is an important step forward, but the fight for democracy, equality, and dignity must continue across Brazil, the Philippines, and the world. Viva Lula! Viva PT! La luta continua!