APTOPIX Brazil Election
Supporters of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrate after he won the presidential runoff in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
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Flavio Bolsonaro is refusing to concede defeat to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who bested him by nearly 4.4 million votes, following a chaotic delay in poll closing times ordered by a Supreme Court justice. Both Bolsonaro and Lula asked that polls remain open late after issues with public transportation and inclement weather in some parts of Brazil. The decision to keep polls open came three minutes before scheduled poll close; some polls got word after they’d closed and it’s unclear how many votes were cast in the extended hours. Bolsonaro called the move to extend voting hours unprecedented and asked for the election results to be annulled.
Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defeated far-right Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and won reelection to his fourth term. Brazil’s electoral court said Lula had an unassailable lead with all of the votes counted night Sunday. The announcement capped an evening of chaos at polling places, following a last-minute decision to extend voting by two hours. That decision by a Supreme Court justice may trigger legal action by Bolsonaro. The difference between the two candidates was stark. Bolsonaro and Lula have opposing ideological views on issues ranging from U.S.-Brazil relations and climate change to social welfare.
