Lula Wins 51.8 Percent of Brazil's Vote; Flávio Bolsonaro Demands Annulment

Brazil's electoral court declared incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva the winner of the Sunday presidential election, securing 51.8 percent of the total vote. The ruling gave Lula a lead of nearly 4.4 million votes over his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro. With 100 percent of the ballots counted, the court confirmed the result after a delayed tally caused by a last-minute extension of voting hours.

Flávio Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat immediately after the announcement. He asked for the election results to be annulled, citing chaos at some polling places. Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, argued that the rules were changed mid-game. He specifically criticized Justice Cristiano Zanin, Lula's former lawyer, who ordered the two-hour extension three minutes before the scheduled close.

"It's impossible to recognize the results of the election in the context of these things that happened," Bolsonaro said. It is unclear if his complaint meets the legal threshold for annulment. He also retains the right to request a recount if he presents evidence of fraud, though such a move might not alter the final margin.

Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, addressed supporters in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro after the win. He described the outcome as a defeat for denialism and lies. He pledged to respect all Brazilians regardless of gender or religion and emphasized national sovereignty. "This country will not accept being anyone's backyard," he said.

The victory bucked a recent regional trend of right-of-centre candidates winning power. It ensures that Latin America's largest economy, valued at 2.6 trillion US dollars annually, will likely continue to defy demands from U.S. President Donald Trump. Lula has been a vocal critic of Trump and faces pressure from increased tariffs.

Voters in Brazil focused on cost of living and security during the campaign. Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round by more than 2.2 million votes earlier this month. Sunday's result marked the first time since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985 that the second-place finisher from the first round won the presidency. Lula is set to begin his fourth non-consecutive term on January 5, 2027.