Foreign Leaders, Top Brazilian Officials Recognise Lula's Victory In "Free, Fair" Election

Brazil's President-elect Lula finishes his victory address to supporters in Sao Paulo after the Supreme Electoral Court called the presidential race, declaring him the winner. Incumbent Jair Bolsonaro is yet to make a statement.

• Lula underscored his egalitarian agenda, vowing to fight racism and prejudice and pointing to the need for the economy to " improve everyone's life." He added that Brazil will regain credibility to lure investors and pledged efforts to end deforestation in the Amazon.
• A suite of foreign leaders have congratulated Lula on winning the election. U.S. President Joe Biden said he was looking forward to working with Lula after he won in "free, fair, and credible elections." In Brazil, lower house Speaker Arthur Lira said the "will of the majority must not be challenged," while chief electoral judge said the nation had a "peaceful, calm vote" this year and played down potential for the result being challenged.
• These remarks from foreign leaders and senior Brazilian officials came promptly after the official confirmation of Lula's victory, seemingly to neutralise any attempts by Jair Bolsonaro's camp to contest the outcome. The incumbent is yet to comment on the result of the vote.