Brazil’s Liberal Party accepts election result after Bolsonaro defeat

Brazil's Liberal Party, led by Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, has accepted the presidential election results, despite candidate Jair Bolsonaro's pledge to annul the outcome after his defeat to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by over 4.4 million votes. Party leader Valdemar Costa Neto acknowledged the results on Monday but echoed concerns about the vote, citing issues needing clarification. Bolsonaro has not formally conceded, claiming a Supreme Court justice's two-hour voting extension, requested by both campaigns for different reasons, disadvantaged his voters. US President Donald Trump called the election "rigged" without evidence, though he said he did not take sides. Experts noted the extension added only 35,000 votes, far below Lula's margin. Bolsonaro's refusal mirrors his father's 2022 challenge, which led to a coup plot conviction and 27-year prison sentence.