Lula beats Bolsonaro to Brazil presidency by a hair’s breadth after bitterly contested election

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been elected president of Brazil, beating Jair Bolsonaro by a hair’s breadth.

The former president stood neck and neck with Bolsonaro throughout a nail-biting count, emerging victorious with 50.83 per cent of the vote to 49.17 per cent for his rival. All eyes are now on Bolsonaro and whether he will accept the result.

More than 120 million Brazilians voted today in the most divisive presidential election in a generation, pitting Bolsonaro, the right-wing incumbent, against his long-term left-wing rival.

Bolsonaro and Lula cast their votes in second round of elections

During months of acrimonious campaigning the men resisted policy debates, instead choosing to fling insults.

Bolsonaro labelled “Lula” a thief who should be returned to prison and who would set the country on the road to economic ruin. Lula