Lula da Silva defeats Bolsonaro to return to Brazil’s presidency
It was a close run-off election on Sunday, but Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva made a surprising return to be chosen the next president of Brazil. After four years of far-right governance by Jair Bolsonaro, his triumph signals a political about-face for Latin America’s largest country.
The victory of the 76-year-old politician marks the return of the left to power in Brazil and caps off a remarkable personal comeback for Lula da Silva, who was imprisoned for 580 days due to a string of corruption allegations. He was finally able to seek reelection after the Supreme Court overturned the convictions.
In a triumphant speech to fans and journalists on Sunday night, he called his victory a “resurrection” in politics and said, “They attempted to bury me alive and I’m here.”
“Starting on January 1, 2023, I will govern for the 215 million Brazilians, not just the ones who voted for me. There are not two Brazils. We are one country, one people, one great nation,” Lula da Silva added
He’ll take charge of a nation still reeling from the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 outbreak and afflicted by widespread poverty and disparity. Between 2019 and 2021, 9.6 million individuals became poor, while illiteracy and school dropout rates also increased. He will also have to deal with a country that is in shambles and pressing environmental concerns, such as the Amazon rainforest being razed to the ground.
After having already served two consecutive terms as president of Brazil, from 2003 to 2010, this will be his third time in office.