São Paulo (EFE).- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched his reelection campaign on Sunday with a massive rally in São Paulo, promising to combat gender-based violence, organized crime, and continue social programs.
«In my fourth term, I want to put an end to some of our country’s challenges,» said Lula, 80, to thousands of supporters gathered at the Vila Euclides Municipal Stadium. This is the same place where Lula led historic union strikes at the height of the military dictatorship.
As he spoke, the chant that always accompanies the progressive leader’s rallies echoed through the nearly packed stadium: «Olé, olé, olé, olé, Lula, Lula!»
With two months to go before the elections, the president recalled milestones in his political career and the achievements of his current administration, such as creating 10 million formal jobs in three and a half years and expanding social programs.
“What kind of future do you want for the Brazilian people if you don’t invest in health care, education, housing?” he asked, referring to the right-wing governments that preceded him.
Despite leveling veiled criticism, Lula did not mention the far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019–2022) or his eldest son, presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, by name. They are his main rivals in the October election.
Regarding public safety, one of the population’s main concerns, Lula emphasized the need to target gang leaders rather than ordinary members.
«We will put an end to organized crime by cutting off their funding,» he declared.
Accompanied by his wife, First Lady Rosângela “Janja” da Silva, Lula also stressed the importance of fighting gender-based violence.
«This violence is unacceptable,» he affirmed, calling on men to treat their partners as «companions» rather than «servants or slaves.»
As has become customary in his recent appearances, Lula also defended Brazilian sovereignty against pressure from foreign powers.
In that regard, he reaffirmed the importance of Brazil’s ability to extract and process critical minerals independently.
«I don’t want the United States, Russia, China, or anyone else. We are going to mine critical minerals for the benefit of the Brazilian people,» he said to applause from the audience.
The event had a festive atmosphere, with samba and hip-hop dancing and hundreds of attendees dressed in red, the color of Lula’s Workers’ Party.
That same Sunday, however, Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023), began his campaign for the October presidential election. He launched harsh attacks on the current president and reelection candidate, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and promised to treat drug traffickers as «terrorists.»
«Lula is the deadbeat of hope!» the Liberal Party (PL) candidate exclaimed to hundreds of supporters on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, a tourist city and the family’s political stronghold.
Flávio accused Lula of «burdening Brazilians with debt,» «fighting with countries 10,000 kilometers away,» causing millions in losses to state-owned companies, and neglecting the fight against organized crime.
«Under the current government, guns and drugs continue to flow across the border with Bolivia, ending up in Rio and the Amazon. Either the government has no control, is allied with organized crime, or is simply incompetent,” he declared.
«I will restore Brazil’s sovereignty. I will treat the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital), Comando Vermelho (Red Command), and the paramilitary militias as terrorist organizations,” he promised, echoing US President Donald Trump.
Positioning himself as the candidate who will take on Brasília’s «corrupt» political system, he announced that he will make drastic cuts to reduce taxes, bureaucracy, and political appointments in the government if he wins the election.
«I am the only candidate with the credibility to restore Brazil’s standing in the eyes of the world,» he said.
However, the latest polls show Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in a virtual tie, with 43% of the vote for Lula and 40% for Flávio.EFE
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