Lula launches bid for fourth term in Brazil election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced his bid for re‑election on August 2 in São Paulo, declaring that he is “in great shape” as he seeks a fourth and final term under the nation’s constitutional limit. The 80‑year‑old veteran leader, who has served three terms since returning to office in 2023, framed the campaign as a continuation of his administration’s policies and urged supporters to rally behind his candidacy.

His principal opponent is Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a 45‑year‑old lawmaker who entered the race after his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, was convicted in 2023 of plotting a coup to block Lula’s inauguration. The contest pits Lula’s left‑leaning coalition against the far‑right legacy of the Bolsonaro family, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral battle that will shape Brazil’s political direction in the coming years.