Lula wins Brazil presidency despite late voting dispute

Brazilian voters gave President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a fourth term on Sunday. The electoral court confirmed the result after counting every ballot in the runoff. Lula will take office on Jan. 5, 2027. His victory comes after a chaotic evening at polling stations across the country.

Lula captured 51.8 percent of the total votes. He finished nearly 4.4 million votes ahead of his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro. The margin of victory exceeds the gap from the 2022 election. Lula turns 81 on Tuesday, making him one of the oldest leaders in the Americas.

The election process was disrupted by a last-minute legal ruling. Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ordered polls to remain open for two additional hours. Zanin made this decision three minutes before the original 5 p.m. local closing time. He cited requests from both campaigns. Lula’s team pointed to transportation issues in São Paulo and Salvador. Bolsonaro’s team blamed heavy rain in the south. It is unclear how many stations actually stayed open late.

Flávio Bolsonaro rejected the outcome immediately after the count. He asked for the results to be annulled. Bolsonaro served as Lula’s lawyer in the past. He accused Zanin of changing the rules in the middle of the game. He said it was impossible to accept the results given the circumstances. Legal experts say it is not clear if his objection meets the standard for a full annulment. He may request a recount if he finds evidence of fraud.

Lula celebrated in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. He spoke to thousands of supporters in both cities. He promised to respect all Brazilians regardless of their gender or religion. He described the win as a defeat for denialism and lies. He also emphasized national independence. He stated that the country will not accept being anyone’s backyard. In Rio, car horns sounded and crowds cheered as the result was confirmed.

Rodrigo Valentim, a 51-year-old businessman who supported Bolsonaro, expressed concern about the economy. He said another Lula government would hurt the country. He argued that the nation is collapsing. This view contrasts with Lula’s campaign focus on protecting democratic values. Both candidates faced scrutiny regarding corruption involving relatives and allies during the race.

The election result shifts the regional political balance. It goes against a trend of right-of-centre leaders aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump. Lula has been a vocal critic of Trump. Brazil has an annual GDP of 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars. The country is expected to continue resisting U.S. trade demands and higher tariffs. Lula’s path to victory was not guaranteed. Flávio Bolsonaro led by 2.2 million votes in the first round earlier this month.

Lula is the first runner-up to win the presidency since 1985. He reorganized his campaign after the first round. He courted young voters and expanded government initiatives. He warned of the risks of another Bolsonaro administration. Lula, Trump, and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega are all aged 80. They are currently the oldest presidents in the Americas.