Lula wins fourth term as Flávio Bolsonaro challenges Brazil vote

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth nonconsecutive term in Sunday’s runoff election, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro after overturning Bolsonaro’s first-round lead.

Official results cited by NPR showed Lula with more than 51% of the vote and Bolsonaro with more than 48% after over 96% of ballots had been counted. Lula, 80, became the first candidate since Brazil’s return to democracy to win the presidency after placing second in the opening round.

Voting was extended nationwide by two hours following complaints from both campaigns. Lula’s team said reduced bus services, particularly in São Paulo, had prevented some voters from reaching polling places, while Bolsonaro’s campaign cited heavy rain in some regions. Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin extended voting until 7 p.m. local time.

Bolsonaro rejected the result, called it “inexplicable” and said he would seek to annul the vote. He objected to the extension as unacceptable despite having also requested additional voting time.

Addressing supporters in São Paulo, Lula called the result a “defeat of denialism” and “a defeat of lies.” International leaders including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chilean President José Antonio Kast congratulated Lula on his victory.