Brazil runoff live updates: Lula supporters celebrate historic election win as Bolsonaro refuses to concede

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a historic fourth term in office on Sunday, defeating far-right Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a tightly contested runoff election. The Superior Electoral Court declared Lula the winner with 51.79 percent of valid votes, compared to 48.21 percent for Bolsonaro. This margin translated into a lead of more than 4.4 million votes. While Lula celebrated with supporters in major cities, his rival refused to concede defeat, citing procedural irregularities in the voting process. The election took place on October 25. Polling stations were originally scheduled to close at 5 p.m., but the schedule changed abruptly. Just before the deadline, Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered an extension of voting hours until 7 p.m. This decision came after Justice Kassio Nunes Marques, who serves as the president of the electoral court, delayed ruling on a request from Lula’s campaign for several hours. Both campaigns had previously petitioned for extended voting times. Lula’s team cited transportation issues preventing voters from reaching polls, while Bolsonaro’s campaign argued that heavy rain, flooding, and road closures in specific municipalities justified the delay. Confusion erupted at polling stations following the announcement. Many locations had already shut down at 5 p.m. Authorities later clarified that the extension applied only to stations that remained open. Despite the disruption, Kassio Nunes Marques stated that the extension did not affect the final outcome. He officially recognized Lula’s victory, noting that the incumbent received over 64 million votes. Marques described Lula as the 40th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, set to begin his new term on January 5, 2027. In a statement, Marques congratulated both candidates, acknowledging Lula’s long political career spanning eight elections and four victories, and offering congratulations to Flavio Bolsonaro for his first presidential contest. Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, rejected the results immediately. Speaking in Brasilia, he declared it impossible to acknowledge the election outcome under the existing circumstances. He accused the judicial system of changing the rules mid-game. Bolsonaro specifically targeted Justice Zanin, alleging that the judge acted as a friend of Lula because Zanin had previously served as Lula’s lawyer and was appointed to the court by him. Bolsonaro claimed the extension was unacceptable and intended to treat voters in different states unequally. He stated that his legal team would seek to have the election annulled. Notably, Bolsonaro omitted any reference to his own campaign’s prior request for extended voting hours during his address. Lula delivered a victory speech in Sao Paulo, addressing thousands of supporters gathered along the city’s main arteries and in Rio de Janeiro’s Cinelandia Square. In a five-minute speech that took no questions, Lula thanked voters and emphasized national unity. He pledged to govern for all 215 million Brazilians, stating there were no more political opponents. He promised to work with the conservative Congress elected in the same cycle and planned meetings with economic representatives within the next two months. On policy, Lula outlined plans to expand full-day schooling and provide financial support for students. He committed to developing domestic artificial intelligence capabilities and utilizing renewable energy to support data centers. A central theme of his platform was the regulation of technology companies. Lula accused tech platforms of attempting to influence elections through foreign interference, asserting that Brazil successfully resisted such attempts. He reiterated his stance on sovereignty, declaring that Brazil would not accept being anyone’s backyard. He also criticized his opponent, describing the election result as a defeat for denialism and lies. The victory marks a significant political comeback for Lula, who was imprisoned between 2018 and 2019 on corruption charges that were later overturned. During his third term, he highlighted reductions in poverty and unemployment. Opinion researchers noted that unexpectedly high voter turnout contributed to his success. Leonardo Barreto of the consulting firm Think Policy explained that voters chose a familiar path that guaranteed certain rights, despite lingering concerns. The result counters a regional trend of right-of-center presidential victories aligned with US President Donald Trump. As Latin America’s largest economy, with a gross domestic product of approximately $2.6 trillion annually, Brazil is expected to continue resisting US demands regarding trade and tariffs. Critics of expanding US influence in the region viewed the outcome with relief. Reactions varied across the country. In Rio de Janeiro, scenes of celebration included car horns blaring and supporters in red shouting at rivals in yellow and green. Rodrigo Valentim, a 51-year-old business owner and Bolsonaro supporter, expressed concern that another Lula administration would harm the economy, pointing to positive market reactions following the first round where Bolsonaro led. Regarding subnational races, right-wing parties maintained control of governorships in Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro. Lula’s Workers’ Party won the runoff in Rio Grande do Norte, securing its hold on four northeastern states, including Bahia, Ceara, and Piau. Global leaders reacted to the outcome, with numerous heads of state from Latin America extending congratulations. The election concluded a period of intense scrutiny over social media influence, with battles over alleged biases on platforms intensifying before the runoff. Lula’s victory ensures continuity in his approach to international relations and domestic social policies, setting the stage for a new term beginning in early 2027.