80-year-old Lula will become the President of Brazil for the fourth time
In the second round of the presidential election in Brazil, incumbent head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won with 51.8 percent of the vote. His opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, refuses to concede defeat and is demanding the annulment of the voting results.
80-year-old Lula to assume the office of the President of Brazil for a fourth time
DW, citing official results, reports that in the vote held on October 25, 80-year-old center-left Lula da Silva received 51.8 percent of the vote, while right-wing populist senator Flavio Bolsonaro got 48.2 percent.
The publication notes that this is the first case in Brazil's history where a candidate who finished second in the first round won the final vote.
After the results were announced, Lula's supporters took to the streets to celebrate the victory. According to the AFP agency, fireworks and the sounds of vuvuzelas echoed in Rio de Janeiro. In São Paulo, thousands of people gathered wearing red clothes, the symbol of the Workers' Party led by Lula.
Flavio Bolsonaro did not recognize the results. According to the Associated Press, he called for the annulment of the election results, citing the extension of voting hours.
Meanwhile, both Lula and Bolsonaro himself had previously requested an extension of polling station hours. This was caused by public transport problems in some areas and unfavorable weather.
Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin ruled to extend voting by another two hours just three minutes before the stations were scheduled to close.
Lula da Silva will assume the presidency for the fourth time. These terms are non-consecutive.
His re-election campaign took place amid public concern over the rising cost of living and growing crime rates. The electoral campaign was accompanied by corruption scandals, economic instability, and allegations of US interference.