Brazil’s Lula launches historic fourth term bid – but son of jailed Bolsonaro stands in his way

Brazil’s leftwing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has officially launched his campaign for a historic fourth term, vowing to continue his efforts to restore stability and progress to the nation. Speaking to a large crowd in São Bernardo do Campo, the industrial city where his political journey began nearly five decades ago, Lula emphasized the turmoil that followed the presidency of his former far-right rival, Jair Bolsonaro. The 80-year-old leader recounted the devastation caused by Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic, including the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives due to his anti-science stance. He also highlighted the surge in gun ownership, which enabled organized crime to flourish, noting that over a million firearms were distributed during Bolsonaro’s tenure. Lula promised to focus on improving education, healthcare, and Brazil’s rare-earth resources, which rank second globally after China. Lula’s campaign kicked off at the Vila Euclides football stadium, a site that marks the beginning of his political ascent in 1979. At the time, he was a union leader who played a key role in organizing two landmark strikes that contributed to the end of Brazil’s military dictatorship. These actions earned him national recognition and set the stage for his eventual election as the country’s first working-class president in 2002. During his initial two terms, from 2002 to 2010, Lula implemented sweeping social reforms, expanded welfare programs, and improved access to higher education. However, his administration was marred by corruption scandals, which eventually led to his impeachment in 2016. Following his arrest in 2018 on corruption charges, Lula spent over 580 days in prison before the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. This period allowed Bolsonaro to secure the presidency, leading to a four-year period marked by environmental degradation and international criticism. In 2022, Lula reclaimed the presidency, narrowly defeating Bolsonaro and pledging to reverse the damage inflicted by his predecessor. Upon taking office, Lula described the previous era as one of the worst in Brazilian history, declaring that the nightmare had ended. Shortly thereafter, far-right extremists attempted to disrupt the government, staging a chaotic protest in Brasília aimed at reinstating Bolsonaro. Meanwhile, Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of the former president, has begun his campaign for the upcoming election. The 45-year-old senator launched his bid on Sunday at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, a location once filled with massive rallies supporting his father. Dressed in a yellow Brazil shirt and wearing a bulletproof vest, Flávio addressed a smaller audience compared to his father’s past gatherings. He claimed he would lead the country by challenging the current political system. Polls indicate that Lula maintains a slight edge over his opponent, with 43% of voters intending to choose him versus 40% for Flávio. If neither candidate secures a majority in the first round on 4 October, a runoff will be held on 25 October. The race for the presidency has drawn attention not only for its political significance but also for its historical implications. Lula’s potential fourth term could mark a continuation of the progressive policies that have defined much of his leadership, while Flávio’s candidacy represents a challenge from the right wing. As both candidates prepare for the final stretch of their campaigns, the outcome will likely shape Brazil’s future trajectory for years to come.