Elections & Democracy
Lula launches Brazil fourth-term bid at 80
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched his candidacy for October's election at a Workers' Party convention in Sao Paulo on Sunday, saying he was "in great shape" as he sought a fourth and final term.
Lula, 80, cast himself as an experienced leader in turbulent times and as a defender of Brazil's sovereignty. He urged greater investment in defence, saying: "I want to be prepared so that no one invades this country."
The campaign is unfolding amid trade and diplomatic disputes with Washington. In July, the United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian goods, alleging unfair trade practices. Lula also warned at the convention that "neither the Chinese, nor the Americans, nor the French" would get control of Brazil's rare earths.
Lula returned to power three years ago after corruption convictions that sent him to prison were later annulled. He previously governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010 and won his last election by a narrow margin.
Brazil's constitution allows presidents to serve two consecutive terms and to run again after a break, with no lifetime limit. Lula said he would not run again after another term.
His main rival is Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. Flavio Bolsonaro stepped into the role after his father was convicted of plotting a coup to prevent Lula from taking power in 2023.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin referred at the convention to Jair Bolsonaro's questioning of Brazil's electronic voting system and said anyone who did not believe in the popular vote should not run for president.
A recent Datafolha survey showed 48 percent of respondents would vote for Lula in a second round, compared with 43 percent for Flavio Bolsonaro.
Update
Lula urged greater defence investment at the Workers' Party convention, saying he wanted Brazil prepared so that no one invades it.
Lula warned that China, the United States and France would not get control of Brazil's rare earths.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin criticised doubts about Brazil's electronic voting system at the convention.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 19:56:27 UTC.
Update
Lula said he was seeking a fourth and final term and would not run again afterward.
The source explains that Brazil allows presidents to run again after sitting out at least one term, with no lifetime term limit.
Lula compared the number of his presidential runs with World Cup appearances by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The item adds a quoted assessment from political scientist Leonardo Paz on Lula's sovereignty message.
It adds a supporter quote from Cristiane Rosa Julho and more detail on cost-of-living, fiscal, security and corruption concerns.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 17:32:20 UTC.
Update
Lula said he was in “great shape” as he launched his bid for a fourth term.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 16:37:19 UTC.
Update
Lula launched his fourth-term bid at a Workers' Party convention in Sao Paulo attended by about 3,000 people.
The convention opened with government ministers praising Lula and supporters holding signs saying Brazil would not surrender.
Lula framed the campaign around Brazilian sovereignty and said Brazil would not accept outside interference.
Carlos Lupi and Leonardo Paz gave comments on Lula's anti-Trump and sovereignty campaign framing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 14:45:23 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .