Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has officially launched his campaign for a fourth presidential term on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. At a Sao Paulo convention centre filled with supporters of the Workers’ Party waving red flags and chanting his name, the 80-year-old leader declared his intention to run for the presidency for the seventh time. Lula, who returned to power in 2023 after two previous terms from 2003 to 2010, emphasized the importance of national sovereignty in his campaign.

Lula has sought to portray the upcoming election as a choice between national independence and submission to foreign interests, particularly highlighting the Bolsonaro family’s ties with former US President Donald Trump. He called on Trump to refrain from interfering in Brazil’s elections, stating, “I want to be prepared, so that no one invades this country.”

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, has emerged as the leading right-wing candidate following his father’s conviction for attempting to overturn the 2022 election results and obstruct Lula’s assumption of office. Flavio has requested that Trump delay tariffs on Brazil until after the election.

Political analyst Paz commented, “The sovereignty message comes at the perfect time for Lula,” noting that it allows Lula to identify an external enemy and attribute some of Brazil’s challenges to foreign interference.

Under Lula’s current administration, deforestation in the Amazon has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. Meanwhile, a Brazilian court has barred Bolsonaro’s son from visiting the former president for 90 days.

Sources