Brazilian Governors Split on Lula Victory as Nine Stay Silent

Nine of 17 elected governors who supported Flávio Bolsonaro have remained silent about Lula's presidential victory, while six recognized the result and two joined the defeated candidate in contesting the election. São Paulo governor Tarcísio de Freitas has not yet commented. Among those silent are governors from Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Rondônia, Roraima, the Federal District, Espírito Santo, and Tocantins. Six governors, including JHC of Alagoas and Eduardo Riedel of Mato Grosso do Sul, congratulated Lula and affirmed respect for the electoral outcome. Only Sergio Moro and Luciano Zucco have backed Flávio's challenge to the election. Centrão party leaders have recognized Lula's victory, isolating the PL in its contestation of the results.