President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has officially launched his campaign for a historic fourth term, declaring that he will not permit the “shameless” right-wing to return to power as long as he lives. The 80-year-old leader addressed a large crowd in São Bernardo do Campo, the city where his political career began nearly fifty years ago. During his speech, Lula reflected on the violence and instability that characterized the 2018-22 administration of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, whose son, 45-year-old senator Flávio Bolsonaro, is now his primary challenger in the October presidential election.
Lula highlighted the tragic loss of hundreds of thousands of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, criticizing Jair Bolsonaro’s anti-science approach. He also addressed the proliferation of weaponry in Brazil, noting that over a million weapons were distributed during the previous administration. Looking ahead, Lula promised to focus on education, healthcare, and the development of Brazil’s rare-earth deposits, which are the second largest in the world. He also pledged to tackle organized crime by focusing on high-level leaders rather than just street-level criminals, stating that the figures running the show from luxury penthouses must be held accountable.
The launch took place at the Vila Euclides football stadium, a site of immense significance in Brazilian history. It was here in 1979 that a 33-year-old Lula led the strikes that helped dismantle the military dictatorship. Following his landslide victory in 2002, Lula served two terms until 2010 characterized by expanded social welfare and improved global standing, though marred by corruption scandals. In 2018, Lula was jailed for alleged corruption and he spent 580 days in prison before the supreme court quashed his conviction. After his release and a 2016 impeachment of his successor, Lula returned to win a third term in 2022, narrowly defeating Jair Bolsonaro. “This nightmare is over,” Lula declared at his January 2023 inauguration. The former president, Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2025 for his role in a failed power grab following his 2022 election loss.
Flávio Bolsonaro officially entered the race at an event on Copacabana beach, where he positioned himself as an anti-system candidate. Current polling indicates a tight race, with Lula holding 43% of intended votes compared to 40% for Bolsonaro ahead of the October 4 first round. Should no candidate secure 50%, a run-off is scheduled for October 25.
The election has drawn international attention, with analyst André Pagliarini describing it as the most critical electoral contest globally this year. Tensions are further heightened by the influence of the United States. Recent moves by Donald Trump’s administration, including the designation of major Brazilian crime syndicates as terrorist organizations, have stoked fears of potential US military intervention. US defense secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that Washington plans to use its military to “ruthlessly” pursue drug traffickers in Latin America, drawing comparisons to the “war on terror.” While some supporters at the Lula campaign launch expressed vocal opposition to US interference, Flávio Bolsonaro welcomed the US stance, arguing he is the only candidate capable of working with Washington.
