Flavio Bolsonaro's Party Accepts Lula's Runoff Victory After Initial Objections

Flávio Bolsonaro's Liberal Party on Monday formally recognised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's win in Brazil's presidential runoff, ending its earlier call for annulment. Lula, who turned 81 on Tuesday, secured a fourth term by beating the right‑wing senator by roughly 4.4 million votes after trailing in the first round. The margin sparked massive street rallies and online mobilisation that pushed the abstention rate down from 21 % to 19 % and reduced spoiled ballots. In a statement, the party said it accepted the Superior Electoral Court’s proclamation while urging that the concerns raised be debated democratically. Bolsonaro had objected to a two‑hour nationwide polling extension requested by Lula over transport disruptions and heavy rains, calling the move a “dirty trick” and “unacceptable.” He later claimed police ordered him to surrender his passports after a Supreme Court justice acted on a comment by his brother Eduardo, who said he would support his brother leaving the country if he lost. Police are probing Flávio for alleged corruption linked to financing the biopic “Dark Horse” about his father. Markets reacted sharply, tumbling nearly 17 % and sending the dollar higher against the real as investors feared fiscal laxity. Lula thanked “rebellious youth” for defending democracy and was congratulated by leaders from Europe, Russia, China, India, South Africa and others. Former US President Donald Trump dismissed the result as “another rigged election, frankly.”

Context

Brazil’s election follows a pattern of polarized contests where judicial rulings and extended voting hours have become flashpoints, and market swings often accompany shifts between left‑wing fiscal policies and right‑wing austerity expectations.