‘Democracy always’: Lula vows no return to dictatorship in Brazil after election win

Leaders and governments worldwide congratulate Lula on dramatic comeback seen as an important signal to rest of Latin America

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, has vowed that dictatorship and fascism will never return to Brazil after winning a historic fourth term in power by defeating his far-right opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro.

This is God's work - and it's thanks to all of you," Lula told tens of thousands of supporters who had gathered in central Sao Paulo in the early hours of Monday to celebrate his dramatic election comeback.