Brazil’s Lula launches final re-election bid amid foreign backing for rival

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has officially confirmed what is expected to be his final bid for re-election, with his Workers’ Party endorsing the 80-year-old leader for October’s presidential election.

The race will mark Lula’s seventh campaign for Brazil’s highest office as he faces growing political pressure, including open backing for his rival, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, from allies of US President Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Addressing the party convention on Sunday, Lula vowed to strengthen Brazil’s defence industry, safeguard the country’s strategic mineral resources and defend national sovereignty.

“No Chinese, no American, no French will touch these resources without respecting Brazil’s sovereignty,” Lula said, adding that his government must be “much more daring” in pursuing reforms.

Workers’ Party leaders warned of possible foreign interference in the election, citing support from Trump and Milei for Bolsonaro’s campaign. Party chairman Edinho Silva described the election as pivotal for the future of Latin America.

Lula enters the campaign with improved approval ratings and support from several centrist parties. His platform includes tax reforms that reduce the burden on low-income earners and a debt forgiveness programme that has gained widespread popularity.

The ruling party has also expressed concern over potential coordinated bot campaigns and social media disinformation aimed at undermining confidence in Brazil’s electronic voting system.

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Lula’s running mate, defended the country’s electoral system, saying it “is so good that it doesn’t take votes from Argentines and Americans,” in an apparent reference to Milei and Trump.

Relations with Washington have become increasingly strained after the Trump administration imposed fresh tariffs on Brazilian exports and designated two Brazilian criminal organisations as terrorist groups. The measures came after Sen. Bolsonaro visited the White House, prompting accusations from Lula’s allies of political interference.

Milei further escalated tensions by criticising Lula and a Brazilian Supreme Court justice during a political event in São Paulo, while Netanyahu released a video endorsing Lula’s opponent.

Lula has framed his campaign around defending Brazil’s sovereignty and recently held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting Brazil’s strategic ties with one of its largest trading partners. His supporters argue that a new Lula term would strengthen Mercosur’s efforts to expand trade partnerships globally.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bolsonaro has continued to question Brazil’s electronic voting system without evidence, reviving concerns reminiscent of those raised by his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year house arrest sentence after being convicted over an attempted coup. The US State Department has denied allegations that American officials sought to influence Brazil’s electoral process.