Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Monday defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a bitter and extremely close presidential election.

The former leader known as “Lula” marked a stunning return to power by tweeting a picture of the Brazilian flag with just one word:

Democracia.

Mr Da Silva received 50.9% of the vote and Mr Bolsonaro 49.1%, according to the country’s election authority, according to Evening Standard.

Meanwhile, hours after the results were in, and congratulations poured in from world leaders, Mr Bolsonaro had yet to publicly concede or react in any way.

Mr Bolsonaro’s campaign had made repeated, unproven claims of possible electoral manipulation before the vote, raising fears that, if he lost, he would not accept defeat and try to challenge the results.

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