Lula Wins Fourth Term in Brazil as Supreme Court Extends Voting Hours Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secured a fourth term, prompting celebration from US progressives and criticism from Republicans after a Supreme Court justice extended polling hours nationwide. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a fourth term on Sunday evening, a result that sparked a social media firestorm Monday morning as progressives in the United States celebrated from afar. Supreme Court Extension Sparks ControversyThe victory was quickly framed by supporters as a transnational repudiation of the politics of the Trump administration and its allies. But questions about the election remain after a Brazilian Supreme Court justice granted a last-minute extension of polling hours. Less than half an hour before polls were scheduled to close, Supreme Court Justice Christiano Zanin granted a nationwide two-hour extension, citing delayed public transportation services.The request came after what officials described as inclement weather and transportation problems in several regions. Lula s opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, immediately questioned the legitimacy of the outcome. What happened today was not normal. It was something frankly unacceptable, Bolsonaro said in a statement.A Supreme Court justice, for the first time in history, a former lawyer of Lula s, issues an order at the request of a former partner of his and changes the rules of the game in the middle of the game. The extension prompted an outcry from Bolsonaro and his allies. Election experts in Brazil told local media that the weather and the polling extension could provide grounds for a legal challenge.There is the possibility of requesting the annulment of the election, said Guilherme Goncalves, an attorney and member of the Brazilian Academy of Electoral and Political Law. The deluge that fell in Santa Catarina and Parana caused harm. The lack of buses and the restriction of public transportation in strategic cities, such as Salvador and Sao Paulo, harmed the right to vote.Another expert, while casting doubt on whether a legal challenge would ultimately succeed, said uncertainty over the election would continue. It is difficult for it to succeed, but the point is that the Supreme Court contributed to the instability of the electoral process, which is serious, said Guilherme Barcelos, an attorney with a doctorate in constitutional law and specialization in electoral law. The election does not end today. That is the point.US Republicans Accuse Of RiggingIn the United States, several Republican figures blasted the outcome. Martin De Luca, an attorney representing some of President Donald Trump s media groups, accused Lula of benefiting from his political connections to the Supreme Court.Yesterday Brazil showed the world that if you are losing an election and you need to turn it around, you can call on your former lawyer turned judge to give you a lift and you ll still be congratulated by all who share the cause, De Luca wrote. If a conservative government in Brazil did this, everyone in the mainstream press in America would lose their minds, but I guess they re just choosing to be silent because it s all for the cause, Trump Jr. added.Brazil did not have an election today. They had their country stolen from them by a criminal band of corrupt hacks who belong in jail, said Joey Mannarino, co-founder of the Overton Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank. During his campaign, Bolsonaro built momentum on promises to increase public safety by expanding prison capacity and drastically cut the size of government through a 25 percent reduction in government ministries.Many Democrats viewed those policies as mirroring efforts by Trump and his allies in the United States. The platform drew praise from progressive groups including the Democratic Socialists of America.Progressives Celebrate Lula VictoryIt is with tremendous pride that the Democratic Socialists of America congratulate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and the coalition of progressive and leftists parties on their victory and re-election in Brazil s second round of presidential elections this past Sunday, the group wrote in a statement. We commend the wide range of forces that joined together to defend Brazilian democracy and secure this victory. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., celebrated the win in a social media post. Yesterday, Brazil showed the world that the will of the people is stronger than the authoritarians who try to suppress it, Ocasio-Cortez said. Other prominent progressives also celebrated Lula s victory online, prompting a wave of reactions across US political circles. Conservative commentator Daniel McCarthy, a Heritage Foundation distinguished fellow, discussed Brazil s rightward shift and the changing political landscape across Latin America on Kudlow.The contest also drew attention from conservative US media figures who criticized the Supreme Court s role. The late extension came after officials said public transportation was delayed in several key cities, including Salvador and Sao Paulo. Despite the controversy, Lula s victory was confirmed, giving him a fourth term as Brazil s president.