Brazilian conservative senator Flavio Bolsonaro confirmed late Sunday that it was “impossible” for him to recognize the results of that day’s presidential runoff, which was narrowly won by then-Socialist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro announced that his campaign would formally demand the annulment of the election results, citing “game changes” during the election.
Brazil’s much-anticipated 2026 presidential run-off election ended with Lula, the 80-year-old leader of the far-left Workers’ Party (PT), narrowly winning on Sunday, securing a fourth four-year term. According to the official final results announced by the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Lula was re-elected with 51.79% of the vote, while Bolsonaro received 48.21%.
The Socialist president’s victory marked a rare development in Brazil’s presidential election, as he lost to Bolsonaro in the first round on October 4. The election campaign was reported to have been without any notable incidents throughout the day, but controversy arose after Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) Judge Cristiano Zanin made an unprecedented ruling to extend voting hours by a further two hours, causing some polling stations to close at 07:00 pm local time instead of 05:00 pm in accordance with national election regulations.
Speaking to followers on Sunday night, Senator Bolsonaro said he did not recognize the results, which he considered “unacceptable.” Bolsonaro mentions Judge Zanin’s ruling – and noting that Zainin is Lula’s former lawyer – said this “is not Ordinary” asked the justices to “change the rules of the game” in the middle of the election “with the stroke of a pen at the request of a former partner.”
Judge Zanin ordered the voting to be extended by two hours at the request of Lula’s campaign, which argued that A shortage of buses has caused transportation problems, preventing voters from reaching corresponding polling stations in Brazil’s northeastern regions, which are widely considered strongholds of support for Lula and the ruling far-left Workers’ Party (PT).
“Equality between Brazilians from different cities and states has completely collapsed. I will never know how many votes I might have received in a state that has not reopened voting. What happened did happen, and it is inexplicable,” Bolsonaro said.
He stressed: “It is impossible to recognize the election results under these circumstances and we will demand their annulment.”
As of press time on Monday morning, Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party had not yet made a formal request to annul the election results. Pan YongUnnamed sources among TSE ministers and court members reportedly believe the election has been “decided” despite criticism surrounding the handling of the vote delay.
according to Pan YongThe same source reportedly confirmed that canceling the election would have been the “most appropriate solution” to the situation caused by the postponement of the vote, but that this option should have been carried out before counting resumed after 07:00 pm local time, because if the election was re-run, knowing the results in advance “could directly interfere” with the results of the “third round”.
Sources also noted that the Supreme Court’s order was seen as “undermining” the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s authority on electoral matters.
Among other factors cited by sources as affecting the prospect of canceling the election, Pan Yong Explained the difference in votes between the candidates, the Bolsonaro campaign’s also request for an extension of the voting period, the agreement between TSE Chairman Cassio Núñez Marquez and Judge Zanin’s court order, as well as “the risk of a new institutional crisis”.
“However, behind the scenes, [TSE] Ministers also criticized Nunez Marquez’s behavior. These members believe that the TSE Chairman’s delay in addressing the request to extend the election time opens the door for the STF to intervene in matters directly related to the organization of the elections. ” Pan Yong wrote.
As of press time, Brazilian media observed that Lula’s victory prompted the stock exchange to temporarily suspend trading through citric acid destroyers due to heavy selling, resulting in a subsequent 16% drop in stock prices. In addition, the Brazilian real fell sharply by 12% against the US dollar and 10.12% against the euro at the opening. according to Power 360market action stems from most forecasts showing Flavio Bolsonaro beating Lula by a slim margin.
Brazilian economist Juliano Lara Fernandes said: “Flavio Bolsonaro set out a policy about limiting spending and improving finances. Then several managers prepared and waited for this victory, only to have a surprising reversal. It is still unclear what economic policies Lula’s government will adopt if it continues to be in power.” Power 360.
Christian K. Caruzo is a Venezuelan writer who documents life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.