Brazil elections, Bolsonaro party recognizes Lula's victory: "We need a balanced debate"

After Flavio Bolsonaro had defined it as "impossible to recognize the result of this vote" and said he wanted to ask for "annulment" because "a judge prolonged the voting process and changed the ongoing rules", his party - the Partido Liberal - recognized Lula's victory as president of Brazil with an official note. Lula, 81 years old today, after an extraordinary comeback confirmed himself as president of the country for the fourth time with 51.74% of the preferences against his rival's 48.2%: never in Brazil had a candidate won after losing in the first round.

The PL note: "We will continue to monitor and look for answers"

"We recognize the presidential result proclaimed by the Superior Electoral Tribunal - we read in the statement signed by the president of PL, Valdemar Costa Neto - but we understand that the issues raised must be clarified in a balanced and democratic political debate. We will continue to monitor the facts and seek answers with responsibility, transparency and respect for the institutions". "Flavio Bolsonaro won the first round of the presidential elections with an advantage of 2.2 million votes - we read in the incipit of the note from the Partido Liberal - In the second round, however, the result was different, in a scenario characterized by strong electoral pressures, with economic and social impact". "The Partido Liberal - continues the statement - concludes these elections with a historic result: a majority of 121 federal deputies, 29 senators, 229 state and district deputies and 6 governors. It is a demonstration of the strength of the party and the trust of millions of Brazilians in the ideas we defend". "The PL will continue to be firm - concludes Costa Neto -, acting with independence and responsibility in the defense of democracy, freedom and the values ​​we represent. Our commitment is with Brazil and with the millions of Brazilians who trust in our work".

Bolsonaro's allies had already recognized Lula's victory

Already on Monday, the parties that supported Flavio Bolsonaro in the presidential run-off had recognized Lula's victory and congratulated the re-elected head of state. Podemos, Republicanos and Uniao Brasil had in fact distanced themselves from the defeated senator's choice to contest the electoral result by not recognizing the outcome of the vote. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which had left freedom of choice to their representatives, and the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), within whose positions were divided, had also expressed themselves in the same direction.