Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term as Brazil's president, taking 51.8 per cent of the vote against Flávio Bolsonaro's 48.2 per cent. The result followed a Supreme Court order to keep polling stations open for two extra hours. Lula's campaign had asked for the extension, claiming public officials slowed transport in Sao Paulo and Salvador. Flávio Bolsonaro called the order a dirty trick and said it was impossible to accept the result, calling for the election to be annulled. Analysts say a legal challenge would have little basis.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won Brazil's presidential election, defeating right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a run-off. Brazil's electoral court said Lula held an unassailable lead once all votes were counted. Voting hours were extended by two hours after a request from Lula's campaign, citing transport problems in three cities in Bahia. Bolsonaro said the extension was unacceptable and that he would ask for the election to be annulled. Lula said voting had been vital to safeguard democracy, and pledged to govern for all 215 million Brazilians.
Brazilians are voting in a tight presidential runoff that could shift Latin America's largest nation sharply to the right. The contest pits leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted in 2025 for plotting a 2022 coup. Polls show the pair practically tied, although Bolsonaro won 47 per cent of first-round ballots to Lula's 45 per cent. No candidate has won the presidency after finishing second in the first round.
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Flavio Bolsonaro has taken 47% of the vote in Brazil's first round, ahead of Lula's 45.1%. That result beat expectations and made him the surprise favourite in Sunday's run-off. The contest will test whether Lula's Workers' Party can stay in power, as much of Latin America has shifted to the right in recent elections. Stephen Hill put questions to Deborah Barros Leal Farias of the University of New South Wales about what explains the rise in support for Flavio Bolsonaro.
