Lula wins fourth term by 4.4 million votes as rival son of ex-president rejects result

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured 51.8 percent of the votes in Sunday's runoff, a margin of nearly 4.4 million ballots over his opponent. The electoral court confirmed the results after all votes were counted. Lula, who turns 81 this Tuesday, will begin his fourth non-consecutive term on January 5, 2027.

Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, refused to concede the defeat. He called for the annulment of the results following a disorderly evening at many polling places. The chaos stemmed from a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin that extended voting hours by two minutes. Zanin made the decision three minutes before the scheduled 5 p.m. local deadline.

Lula's campaign requested the extension due to bus delays in São Paulo and Salvador, cities that typically support the incumbent. Bolsonaro's team cited heavy rain in southern Brazil, where he held a lead. It remained unclear how many stations actually stayed open late. Associated Press reporters in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro observed polling places close shortly after the original deadline.

Bolsonaro criticized Zanin, noting the justice had previously served as Lula's lawyer. He accused Zanin of changing the rules mid-game and stated that recognizing the results was impossible. Legal experts are unsure if his objection meets the threshold for annulment. He may request a recount if he produces evidence of fraud, though such a move might not change the outcome.

Lula addressed thousands of supporters in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's Cinelândia Square. He promised to respect all Brazilians regardless of gender or religion. He described the win as a defeat for denialism and lies. He also emphasized national independence, stating the country would not accept being anyone's backyard. Car horns sounded and crowds roared in Rio as the result was confirmed.

The victory runs against a regional trend of right-of-center, Trump-aligned leaders. It suggests Brazil's economy, valued at 2.6 trillion US dollars annually, will continue to resist higher tariffs demanded by the United States. Lula had a difficult path to victory after Flávio Bolsonaro led him by more than 2.2 million votes in the first round earlier this month. This is the first time since 1985 that the runner-up in the first round won the presidency.

Voters focused on the cost of living and security during the campaign. Bolsonaro campaigned on tough crime policies and lower food prices. Lula spent on incentives to win undecided voters. Both men faced corruption suspicions involving relatives. Lula reorganized his campaign after the first round, courting young voters and mobilizing support for democratic values. At age 81, he joins Donald Trump and Daniel Ortega as the oldest presidents in the Americas.