Brazilian students gathered on Nov. 2 at Morro do Cristo in Salvador, Bahia, to protest Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s claim that he was the true president‑elect following the October 25 presidential election. The mobilization was organized by the National Union of Students (UNE) as part of its "Brasil com S" campaign, aimed at defending democracy, national sovereignty and the legitimacy of the election results that confirmed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as the winner.
Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost the election, released a letter on Oct. 28 in which he initially identified himself as the "true president‑elect." The document contained the archaic phrase "Estados Unidos do Brazil" and later was amended to replace the phrase "true president‑elect" with "leader of Brazil." The UNE’s call to action maintains the integrity of Brazil’s electoral process and the sovereignty of its people.
Contrary to Bolsonaro’s statements, official election results declared President Lula da Silva the legitimate winner. The ongoing protests, including those held on Sunday in various regions, demonstrate the continued effort by students to uphold democratic norms and challenge attempts to undermine the electoral outcome.
