Lula makes a political comeback - wins Brazil’s presidential election

Lula, who officially takes on the Presidential role on January 1 next year, face a long road ahead. He has pledged to end hunger, restore Brazil’s international prestige, and focus on economic development and inequality.  Another intention is to tackle the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, which has surged during Bolsonaro. Internationally, Lula will have to balance Brazil’s position between the increasing tensions among China and the U.S. – which constitute as the country’s two most important trading partners. Brazil could also face increased pressure on taking a stance other than neutral in the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Brazil remains greatly polarized. Lula received 50.9% of the votes, against Bolsonaro’s 49.1%. Many Brazilians have lost confidence in Lula. In 2017, he was sentenced to almost ten years in prison after being charged with corruption. In 2018, they year when Bolsonaro took office, Lula was locked up and spent 18 months in prison. He was acquitted by the country’s Supreme Court in 2021.