Lula Wins Brazil Runoff as Bolsonaro Rejects Result

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won Brazil’s presidential runoff with 51.79% of the vote, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro, who received 48.21%, and securing a fourth, non-consecutive term. Lula had trailed after the first round, and his victory bucked a recent regional trend of right-wing electoral gains. He called for national unity, while Bolsonaro rejected the result and called for the election to be annulled, underscoring Brazil’s deep political divisions. Voting was extended by two hours after both campaigns raised concerns about access to polling places, prompting confusion and accusations of electoral interference. Lula will take office amid high public debt, persistent deficits and elevated interest rates, as well as record rural delinquencies and tighter agricultural credit.