He met deification, but also contempt – he found himself in prison. Today, at the age of 76, Lula is back on the political stage and claims the presidency of Brazil.
On October 2, Brazilians are called to the polls to elect the country’s new president, in a climate of extreme political polarization. “Gladiators” will be the current ethno-populist president Jair Bolsonarowhich the left-wing ex-president is also running for re-election Lula da Silva. This is, of course, the historic leader of the Workers’ Party (PT) and former trade unionist, who governed Brazil in the period 2003-2010, significantly improving the position of the economically weaker, but then he was accused of corruption, blackmailed, imprisoned, released with decision of the Supreme Court in 2019 and today he claims his return to the presidency.
His voice sounds a little tired, but his presence remains imposing. Speaking at a mass pre-election rally in Sao Paulo, Lula da Silva sends a message of victory: “These elections can end the war that started in this country with the appearance of the current president,” Lula characteristically says, criticizing the ethno-populist Bolsonaro. “A war that has torn families apart, that has turned old friends into enemies.”
The lead in the polls is widening
According to the polls, Lula da Silva could secure victory even from the first round of the elections, this Sunday. His lead against Bolsonaro is constantly widening and now reaches 14 or even 17 percentage points. The latest poll by the IPEC institute puts Lula ahead with 48% of the vote, compared to just 31% for Bolsonaro.
However, many believe that the current president, who cites Donald Trump as his role model, may not admit defeat. Already in 2018 he boasted that he had won from the first round of the presidential election and under normal circumstances there would be no need for a second round. At the same time, he claimed that the electronic voting system in Brazil is not secure and leaves a lot of room for fraud, without, however, providing evidence for these claims.
At the meeting in Sao Paulo, the former president of Brazil does not limit himself to the political “against” Bolsonaro, but also focuses on the enormous economic problems that have accumulated in recent years. “Hunger is back, unemployment is at record highs, inflation is out of control, food and energy prices are skyrocketing,” says Lula. “At the same time, social programs and inclusion policies are abolished. This government is identified with one of the blackest pages in the history of our country.”
Artists in favor of Lula
At the São Paulo gathering, many famous people from Brazil, as well as the USA, are “present” to support Lula’s candidacy. Among them the composer Caetano Veloso and the singer Chico Cesar. American actors Mark Ruffalo and Danny Glover, Brazilian lawyer Silvio Almeida.
The candidate for vice-president, alongside Lula, is the former governor of Sao Paulo, Geraldo Achim. “We are one step away from victory on October 2,” says Lula da Silva. “But we still have a way to go. In the remaining days we must work so that all those who support the Republic go to vote”.
DW – Giannis Papadimitriou
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
