Brazil's presidential runoff too close to call as Bolsonaro leads Lula by less than a point

Brazil's presidential runoff election is too close to call, with right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro narrowly leading leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by 50.4% to 49.5% with over 30% of votes counted. The winner will determine the political direction of Latin America's largest nation. The election day was marked by controversy after a Supreme Court judge extended voting hours by two hours following Lula's campaign complaints about restricted public transport access. Bolsonaro, who led the first round with 47% to Lula's 45%, has promised to pardon his convicted father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, if elected. A Bolsonaro victory would extend a conservative wave across Latin America aligned with US President Donald Trump, while a fourth Lula term would disappoint Washington amid trade tensions. The race was shaped by corruption scandals, economic concerns over high living costs, and allegations of US interference, which Washington denies.