Trump claims Brazil election ‘rigged’ after leftist Lula defeats Flavio Bolsonaro

Sao Paulo: US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Brazil's presidential election was "rigged," as his ally Flavio Bolsonaro demanded the annulment of the vote won by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Lula, who turns 81 on Tuesday, pulled off a dramatic political comeback after trailing Bolsonaro in the first-round vote, a setback that galvanised left-wing supporters across the streets and social media to secure him a fourth term in office.

Lula ultimately secured approximately 4.4 million more votes than his opponent.

Right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, the son of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, alleged foul play after polling hours were extended nationwide by two hours due to transport disruptions in several cities, following a request from Lula's campaign.

Flavio Bolsonaro had also requested that voting stations remain open in certain regions impacted by heavy rainfall, but nevertheless characterised the nationwide extension as "unacceptable" and a "dirty trick."

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While messages of congratulations poured in for Lula from global leaders across the political spectrum, Trump, a close ally of the Bolsonaro family, stated that the electoral process "looked terrible to me."

"I didn't take sides, but it looked like another rigged election frankly...it looked so corrupt," Trump told reporters in Washington.

"I like Lula, I get along with him very well. I just thought it was a very bad look, the way it was tabulated -- with the extension," he added.

In a video statement posted to social media on Monday afternoon, Flavio Bolsonaro disclosed that federal police had ordered him to surrender his passports, adding, "I am now prohibited from leaving the country."

The senator stated that the judicial directive was issued by a Supreme Court justice based on comments made by his US-based brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who had told an American podcast two days prior to the poll that "if my brother does not win, I am in favour that he would leave the country."

Eduardo had cited ongoing investigations targeting his brother. Brazilian authorities are currently investigating Flavio Bolsonaro for alleged corruption related to the financing of the biographical film "Dark Horse," which depicts his father's life.

"I never had any intention of leaving the country. I will surrender my passports and defend myself against this travesty," Flavio Bolsonaro declared.

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While maintaining his demand for the annulment of the presidential election, the right-wing candidate also formally assumed "leadership of the opposition" in a separate public statement.

Brazilian financial markets dropped nearly 17 per cent while the U.S. dollar rose sharply against the real in response to the leftist leader's re-election, as market participants voiced concerns over fiscal discipline.

Flavio criticised Lula for committing "an unprecedented abuse of both political and economic power," pointing to a series of social spending announcements unveiled during the election campaign.

The left celebrated after completing the historic electoral turnaround, with tens of thousands of supporters gathering in the streets to celebrate Lula's victory on Sunday night.

Julio Canelo, a 42-year-old lawyer, hailed the outcome as a triumph for "the entire democratic spectrum."

"It was the result of the people mobilising, in the streets and online," he told AFP.

Lula's energized campaign under the rally cry "Never Again Bolsonaro" encouraged voter turnout, leading to a drop in the national abstention rate from 21 per cent to 19 per cent in the runoff round. The proportion of blank and spoiled ballots also declined.

"I owe this victory to the rebellious youth who rose up to defend democracy," Lula told supporters in São Paulo on Sunday night.

Governments across Europe, alongside leaders from Russia, China, India, and South Africa, extended formal congratulations to Lula.

Several right-leaning governments in Latin America aligned with Trump also acknowledged the result, with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella noting that despite his backing for Bolsonaro: "When the people speak at the ballot box, their will must be respected."

Flavio Bolsonaro's refusal to accept the outcome mirrored his father's actions following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 presidential contest.

Tensions surrounding that result culminated in hundreds of Jair Bolsonaro's supporters storming government headquarters a week after Lula's inauguration to call for military intervention.

Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest following his conviction for attempting a coup to prevent Lula from assuming office.

Electoral court chief Kassio Nunes Marques, a Supreme Court justice appointed during Bolsonaro's presidency, commended the "successful polls" and noted that "there were no changes" to the final outcome resulting from the decision to extend voting hours, despite the operational challenges it presented.

AFP