Brazilian right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has followed his imprisoned father's lead by refusing to concede defeat to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who won a historic fourth term in Sunday's presidential election.
Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, called into question a late-Sunday decision by a Lula-appointed Supreme Court justice that extended voting by two hours over alleged voter transport irregularities. He said he would ask for the result to be annulled.
"It is impossible to recognize the election results, given the circumstances under which things unfolded," Bolsonaro told journalists.
Yet the scale of the loss, with Bolsonaro trailing Lula by over 4 million votes, makes it unlikely his efforts to annul the vote will succeed, analysts said. His petition is also undermined by the fact that his campaign also sought a voting extension due to heavy rains in the conservative-leaning south.
Jair Bolsonaro plunged Brazil into a deep democratic crisis after the election in 2022, when his supporters stormed government buildings in protest against the result. He later received a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup.
Meanwhile, world leaders hailed the victory of Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Sunday's presidential election runoff.
Here are some reactions:
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY:
"The relationship between Canada and Brazil has flourished under our partnership.
"Let’s seize this opportunity to make it even stronger, together — to create major new trade opportunities, protect the environment, and build greater prosperity for both our peoples."
PERUVIAN PRESIDENT KEIKO FUJIMORI:
"I congratulate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ... and salute the Brazilian people for this democratic day."
ECUADOREAN PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA
"Our region has common enemies, shared challenges, and much to gain when we work together."
CHILEAN PRESIDENT JOSE ANTONIO KAST:
"I just spoke with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"Chile and Brazil have a lot of shared future ahead, and we will continue working on an agenda that strengthens relations between our countries in economic integration and the fight against organized crime in the region."
MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM:
"Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won."
PARAGUAYAN PRESIDENT SANTIAGO PENA:
"I salute the Brazilian people for this great democratic journey.
"Paraguay and Brazil share a common agenda of integration and development. We will continue working together for the well-being of our people."
URUGUAYAN PRESIDENT YAMANDU ORSI:
"I just spoke with the president-elect of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a friend.
"I congratulated him on the victory and on the democratic celebration that an electoral process represents."
BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT RODRIGO PAZ:
"Bolivia and Brazil are neighboring and brother countries, united by a shared history and common challenges.
"We will continue working together to strengthen our relationship and generate more opportunities for our nations."
CUBAN PRESIDENT MIGUEL DIAZ-CANEL:
"...This historic victory ensures the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty, and social justice embarked upon by the Brazilian people under your leadership."
PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT JOSE RAUL MULINO:
"I congratulate the Brazilian people for this democratic day and especially President Lula for the victory! We will continue working together for our countries."