Lula to Seek Historic fourth term as President of Brazil at Age 80
BRASÍLIA – Brazilian President luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 78, intends to seek a fourth term in office in next october’s election, a move that would see him govern untill age 80. The declaration comes as Brazil’s right wing struggles in the wake of a 27-year prison sentence handed down to former President Jair Bolsonaro for attempting to subvert the 2022 election results with a planned military coup.
Lula, a veteran leftist politician adn the country’s first working-class president, previously served as president from 2003 to 2010. He first ran for the presidency in 1989, but was unsuccessful, before winning power in 2002.
Recent polling data suggests Lula is well-positioned to win the 2026 election, despite potential challenges from emerging right-wing candidates vying to replace Bolsonaro. His campaign has received an unexpected boost from the failed efforts of the trump administration to aid Bolsonaro, which included imposing 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods and sanctioning officials – actions that ultimately backfired and increased Lula’s support.Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently extended an olive branch to Lula, describing him as “a very nice man,” and the two are scheduled to meet in malaysia this weekend.
Political analyst Maurício Morais believes Lula would win the election outright in the first round if held today, predicting his fourth term will be his moast accomplished and cement his place in history. However, Celso Rocha de Barros, author of a recent book about Lula’s Workers’ Party (PT), views the race as more competitive, labeling Lula the “slight favorite.” Barros anticipates a tight contest against São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a former Bolsonaro minister expected to receive strong support from Brazil’s political and economic elites.
Guilherme Boulos, a 43-year-old politician and potential lula successor recently appointed as a minister, warned of a fiercely contested election, noting Lula’s narrow victory over Bolsonaro in the last election – a margin of just 2 million votes – and the continued polarization within the country. Boulos also expressed concerns about potential interference from major internet platforms favoring the far-right candidate, describing the upcoming election as “war.” He has been tasked by Lula with mobilizing support across Brazil.
