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Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro looks at supporters during a presidential campaign event in Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 9 (local time). / AFP-Yonhap

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a leading right-wing presidential candidate, has effectively withdrawn his refusal to accept the election results after losing the runoff to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, The Washington Post (WP) reported on Oct. 26 (local time).

According to Reuters, Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL) said in a statement that day, "We recognize the presidential election results announced by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE)."

Earlier, Bolsonaro had declared that he would not accept the results immediately after they were announced. He described the decision to extend voting hours on election day at the request of both candidates' campaigns as "a dirty trick to manipulate the election results."

He also took issue with the fact that Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin, who ordered the extension of voting hours, had previously served as President Lula's personal lawyer.

That position appeared to soften within minutes of remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 26, the day after the election.

Commenting on Brazil's presidential election, Trump said, "It looks like another rigged election," while suggesting that he would not intervene in the election.

In its statement, the PL said, "The allegations raised concerning President Lula need to be properly clarified through balanced and democratic political debate." Regarding Lula's expansion of social welfare spending ahead of the vote, the party emphasized that it "raises questions about its impact on a fair electoral process and its potential consequences for the national economy."

Bolsonaro said he would file a lawsuit alleging that Lula had abused his power to influence the election. Such legal action is commonly taken by defeated candidates, although courts rarely uphold such claims.

"It was not I who lost; it was the system that won," Bolsonaro said. "I will unite the opposition to build a fortress against barbarism."

                                                                                                            Kim Hyun-min