"Lula is a major-league negotiator," said AS/COA's Cecilia Tornaghi to NPR.

A stunning turnaround for the leader comes just days short of the third anniversary of his leaving jail—and marks the first time an incumbent loses reelection in Brazil.

AS/COA Online rounds up responses to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's October 30 runoff win against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.

President-elect Lula will face a hostile Congress and have "a weak government," said AS/COA's Brian Winter to Agence France-Presse.

"It's much closer than anyone thought," said AS/COA's Brian Winter to Deutsche Welle.

The election, “could profoundly impact the relationship with the United States,” said AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to NBC News.

"Es una época muy difícil para ser presidente en América Latina", dijo Brian Winter de AS/COA a La Nación.