President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a 4th non-consecutive term Sunday, defeating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a tight runoff.
With 100% counted, electoral court TSE announced Lula 51.8% vs 48.2% for Bolsonaro - lead of ∼4.4 million votes. Result defies first round where Bolsonaro led 47% to 45%. e659
Victory bucks Latin America's rightward wave backed by Trump and keeps Brazil, $2.6T GDP, independent despite US tariffs. Lula turns 81 Tuesday, becomes first candidate since 1989 to win after losing first round. e659b7fa
Chaos marked voting day after Supreme Court extended voting 2 hours after reports buses were pulled, barring voters. Both camps requested extension, but Flávio - son of jailed ex-president Jair Bolsonaro- refused result: "It is impossible to recognize the results. I am going to request annulment". b7fa
New term begins Jan 5, 2027. e659
