The Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced this Thursday that he will run for re-election next year. Thus, he will seek a fourth non-consecutive term and assured that “he has the same energy” as at the beginning, discounting doubts about his age.
“I’m 80 years old, but you can be sure I have the same energy I had when I was 30. And I’m going to run for a fourth term in Brazil,” Lula told reporters during his official visit to Indonesia, according to AP.
The Brazilian leader is traveling through Asia and after his time in Indonesia, where he met with President Prabowo Subianto, he will go to Malaysia to attend the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Lula da Silva will be a candidate for president for the fourth time
Brazil’s constitution allows presidents to serve only two consecutive terms. Thus, Lula returned to power in 2023 after 13 years out of power and remains eligible to run again.
Before defeating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022 to win a third non-consecutive term, Lula had said that this would be his last campaign both because of his age and because he believed that the country needed political renewal. But early in his current term, he began hinting that he might run again.
In February 2023, the president indicated that he could seek re-election in 2026, adding that Your decision would depend on the political context of the country and your health.. A dominant figure on Brazil’s left, Lula is the longest-serving president since the return to democracy 40 years ago.
Some Brazilian politicians were concerned about Lula’s age and recent health problems after undergoing emergency surgery to treat a brain hemorrhage from a domestic accident. Still, Da Silva insists he stays healthy and energetic, often sharing videos of his workouts on social media.
Lula currently leads all polls for the 2026 elections, although about half of voters disapprove. Trump’s tariffs re-energized the Brazilian leader and increased his popularity.
His main political rival, Bolsonaro, was disqualified from running for office and sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. Although a strong opposition candidate has yet to emerge, analysts say a viable contender will likely depend on Bolsonaro’s backing as he serves his sentence under house arrest.
Lula da Silva confirmed negotiations for Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Brazilian products
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvaconfirmed that his government and the United States will maintain negotiations this Thursday to address the recent 50% increase in tariffs on Brazilian products ordered by the North American president donald trump. The president avoided specifying the place or type of the meeting, which marks a new chapter of commercial tension.
He foreign minister, Mauro Vieiratraveled to Washington to meet with him Secretary of State Marco Rubioappointed by Trump to represent the United States in bilateral talks.
Source: Ambito
