Brazilian Court Certifies Lula's Fourth Term Despite Bolsonaro Son's Challenge

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been confirmed as Brazil's president for a fourth term by the country's electoral court. The 81-year-old leader won the runoff held Sunday, securing 51.8 percent of the total ballots cast. He finished nearly 4.4 million votes ahead of his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, rejected the outcome immediately after the count was finalized. He called for the results to be annulled, citing procedural irregularities during the voting process. His challenge follows a contentious evening where some polling stations remained open beyond their scheduled closing time.

The delay was triggered by a ruling issued by Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin three minutes before the original deadline. Zanin ordered polls to stay open for two additional hours to accommodate voters. The decision came after both campaigns submitted requests for the extension. Lula's team pointed to transportation delays in São Paulo and Salvador, two cities that typically support the incumbent. Flávio Bolsonaro's team cited heavy rainfall in southern Brazil, a region where he holds a lead in local polling.

Zanin previously served as Lula's defense counsel during legal proceedings against the former president. Flávio Bolsonaro used that history to argue that the judge changed the rules midway through the race. He stated that recognizing the results under these conditions was impossible. It remains unclear if his objection meets the legal requirements for a full annulment, though he could petition for a recount if evidence of fraud emerges.

Supporters gathered in large numbers in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the certification. Lula addressed the crowds in Cinelândia Square, praising the voters for rejecting what he described as denialism and lies. He emphasized national sovereignty, declaring that Brazil would not accept being treated as anyone's backyard. In Rio, car horns blared and crowds cheered as the final numbers were released.

The election result disrupts a recent trend in Latin America where candidates aligned with the U.S. right have taken power. Brazil, with an annual gross domestic product of $2.6 trillion U.S. dollars, is the region's largest economy. Lula has been a vocal critic of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his continued leadership suggests Brazil will resist American trade demands despite higher tariffs.

The path to victory was not straightforward. Flávio Bolsonaro led by more than 2.2 million votes in the first round held earlier this month. Sunday's outcome marks the first time since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985 that the runner-up from the first round won the final presidency. Voters prioritized the cost of living and public safety during the campaign. Bolsonaro campaigned on tough crime measures and lower food prices, while Lula expanded government incentive programs to attract undecided voters.

Both candidates faced suspicions of corruption involving relatives and political allies. After the initial round, Lula restructured his campaign to appeal to younger voters and mobilize support for his democratic legacy. He is scheduled to begin his fourth non-consecutive term on January 5, 2027. At age 80, he joins Trump and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega as the oldest sitting leaders in the Americas.

Rodrigo Valentim, a 51-year-old businessman in Rio who backed Flávio Bolsonaro, expressed concern about the economic outlook. He argued that another administration under Lula would harm the economy and claimed the country is collapsing. The electoral court's certification ends the immediate counting process but leaves the door open for legal challenges in the Supreme Court.