Lula wins Brazil's presidential runoff; Flavio Bolsonaro refuses to concede defeat

　　Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, delivers a speech following his victory in the presidential runoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Paulo Lopes/Xinhua)

　　BRASILIA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night.

　　With 99.99 percent of the votes counted, Lula received 51.79 percent of the valid votes, compared with 48.21 percent for Flavio Bolsonaro, the Liberal Party's presidential candidate and son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, according to the official tally.

　　Lula will be sworn in on Jan. 5, 2027, for a four-year term, his fourth as Brazil's president.

　　Speaking in a live speech in Sao Paulo following his victory, Lula vowed to work with the conservative Congress elected by the people and ensure greater public participation in the decision-making process.

　　He also stressed the need to strengthen digital regulation after defeating foreign interference through digital platforms, stressing that Brazil is no one's backyard.

　　Lula also pledged to strengthen public healthcare, improve care for the elderly, respect women and continue efforts to combat climate change.

　　"This election taught me many lessons. I want to say that we will change the way this country is governed. We will have the people participate more in our decisions," he said.

　　Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro, speaking in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, said it is "impossible" to recognize the results, and called for the annulment of the election, alleging unequal treatment of voters following an extension of voting hours.

　　Earlier on Sunday, Brazil's Supreme Federal Court ordered polling stations nationwide to extend voting by two hours in response to disruptions caused by public transport stoppages and heavy rain. The measure applied only to polling stations that remained open when the decision was communicated by the Superior Electoral Court; stations that had already closed were not reopened.

　　Bolsonaro argued that the decision had disadvantaged voters in areas where polling stations were not reopened and that his legal team would challenge the results.

　　Under Brazil's electoral rules, if no presidential candidate wins outright in the first round by securing more than half of the valid votes, the top two candidates advance to a runoff.

　　In the first round, held on Oct. 4, Flavio Bolsonaro finished ahead of incumbent Lula, winning about 47 percent of the valid votes against Lula's roughly 45 percent.

　　Presidents from several Latin American countries congratulated Lula on his victory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the result as a victory for the Brazilian people and democracy, while Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi praised Brazil's electoral process as a celebration of democracy.

　　Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called for stronger regional integration. Paraguayan President Santiago Pena emphasized cooperation with Brazil to promote regional integration and development, while Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz highlighted the countries' shared history and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino also congratulated Lula and expressed his commitment to continued cooperation. ■

　　Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, delivers a speech following his victory in the presidential runoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Paulo Lopes/Xinhua)

　　Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, delivers a speech following his victory in the presidential runoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Paulo Lopes/Xinhua)

　　Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, delivers a speech following his victory in the presidential runoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Paulo Lopes/Xinhua)

　　Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, delivers a speech following his victory in the presidential runoff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Paulo Lopes/Xinhua)

　　A supporter attends an event celebrating the victory of Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the presidential runoff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)

　　Supporters attend an event celebrating the victory of Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the presidential runoff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)

　　Supporters attend an event celebrating the victory of Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the presidential runoff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)

　　This photo taken on Oct. 25, 2026 shows Brazil's Superior Electoral Court in Brasilia, Brazil. Brazilian incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, candidate of the ruling Workers' Party, won Sunday's presidential runoff, according to results released by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court on Sunday night. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

　　Flavio Bolsonaro (C), the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, attends a press conference after presidential runoff in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, refused to concede defeat during remarks in Brasilia late Sunday, and said he would seek to have the election annulled after incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

　　Flavio Bolsonaro (C), the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, attends a press conference after presidential runoff in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, refused to concede defeat during remarks in Brasilia late Sunday, and said he would seek to have the election annulled after incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

　　Flavio Bolsonaro (C), the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, attends a press conference after presidential runoff in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, refused to concede defeat during remarks in Brasilia late Sunday, and said he would seek to have the election annulled after incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

　　Flavio Bolsonaro (C), the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, attends a press conference after presidential runoff in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, refused to concede defeat during remarks in Brasilia late Sunday, and said he would seek to have the election annulled after incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

　　Flavio Bolsonaro (C), the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, attends a press conference after presidential runoff in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 25, 2026. Flavio Bolsonaro, the right-wing Liberal Party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff, refused to concede defeat during remarks in Brasilia late Sunday, and said he would seek to have the election annulled after incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won reelection. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)