Biden congratulates Lula for winning 'free, fair' Brazil election

Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

(Corrects spelling to Antony, paragraph 3)

(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden congratulated Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for his victory on Sunday in "free, fair and credible elections," and said he looks forward to continued cooperation between the countries.

Leftist Lula defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in an election runoff that marked a stunning comeback for Lula and the end of Brazil's most right-wing government in decades. Lula won 50.9% of votes compared with 49.1% for Bolsonaro, the Supreme Electoral Court said, declaring Lula, previously a two-term president, the winner.

Supporters of Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva react as they wait for the election's results at Paulista Avenue, Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Brazilians in a tweet "for exercising their right to vote and reaffirming the strength of their democracy."

The United States "looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with President-Elect Lula as we build a democratic, prosperous, and equitable hemisphere," he said.

(This story has been refiled to correct spelling to Antony in paragraph 3)

(Reporting by Sao Paulo newsroom; editing by Grant McCool)