Lula Seeks Fourth Term as Brazil's President Nears 81
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, is seeking a fourth term in the October 4 election shortly before turning 81. He rose from a metalworker and union leader to co-found the Workers' Party, served as president from 2003 to 2010, was jailed in the Lava Jato probe, and returned to office in 2023. Polls show a close first-round race against Flávio Bolsonaro and high disapproval.
Lula was born in Pernambuco in 1945 and moved as a child to São Paulo, where he began working at twelve and became a lathe operator. A workplace accident at nineteen cost him part of his left hand. In the late 1970s he helped lead metalworkers’ strikes, then co-founded the Workers’ Party in 1980. After three failed presidential runs, he won in 2002.
He governed from 2003 to 2010 amid a commodity boom, expanding Bolsa Família and raising the minimum wage. Jailed for 580 days in the Lava Jato probe, he saw his convictions annulled in 2021, defeated Jair Bolsonaro in 2022, and took office again in 2023. Now he faces Flávio Bolsonaro, with polls close and disapproval high.
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A fourth Lula term could affect millions of Brazilians who rely on social programs, as well as workers, students, and public institutions shaped by his earlier governments. A close race against Flávio Bolsonaro may deepen political polarization and test confidence in electoral and judicial institutions. High disapproval suggests any next administration could face resistance, making compromise difficult. Markets and regional neighbors may watch Brazil’s stability, trade, and environmental policy closely, though outcomes depend on the election result and governing coalition. Count: A1 fourth2 Lula3 term4 could5 affect6 millions7 of8 Brazilians9 who10 rely11 on12 social13 programs14 as15 well16 as17 workers18 students19 and20 public21 institutions22 shaped23 by24 his25 earlier26 governments27. A28 close29 race30 against31 Flávio32 Bolsonaro33 may34 deepen35 political36 polarization37 and38 test39 confidence40 in41 electoral42 and43 judicial44 institutions45. High46 disapproval47 suggests