Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could face a sensational return attempt after a Supreme Court annulled a series of criminal convictions against the left-wing icon and restored his political rights.
The ruling, which analysts called a political bomb, means Lula is almost certain he will challenge Brazil’s sitting president, Jair Bolsonaro, in the 2022 presidential election.
“The election starts today … It’s virtually impossible that Lula will not be a candidate,” said Thomas Traumann, a political observer in Rio de Janeiro. “In American terms, it’s going to be like Sanders versus Trump.”
Valor Econômico, the leading financial newspaper in Brazil, stated: “Lula is back in business.”
Lula was president of Latin America’s largest economy for two terms, between 2003 and 2011, overseeing a historic period of commodity – fueled growth and poverty reduction. The 75-year-old Labor Party (PT) politician was hoping to seek a third term in 2018 but was fired after being jailed on corruption charges, paving the way for Bolsonaro’s big deal. victory.
Lula was released from prison in November 2019 after 580 days behind bars, but still could not seek election after being deprived of his political rights.
The former son-in-law speculated with the Guardian in April, speculating that he would challenge Bolsonaro in 2022, but accused the far-right former army captain of leading Brazilians “to the slaughterhouse” with his “grotesque” and “reckless” reaction to the coronavirus. pandemic.
“You can be sure that left-wing Brazil will rule again after 2022,” Lula claimed. ‘We will vote for someone who commits to and respects human rights, who respects the protection of the environment, who respects the Amazon … who respects blacks and indigenous peoples. We are going to choose someone who is dedicated to the poor of this country. ”
Traumann said Monday’s verdict was an unmistakable turning point and possibly positive for those who wanted to see Bolsonaro’s back, under whose extremely controversial watch more than 265,000 Brazilians lost their lives to Covid-19. ‘If you’re absolutely opposed to Bolsonaro, that’s good news, because you have a candidate who is undeniably strong, popular and can beat Bolsonaro.
‘The problem is that there are quite a lot of people who do not want any of them [as president] – and if these people do not meet and with a [third] candidate, there will be no place for them, ”Traumann added. “If the other candidates do not decide to run now, next year will be so polarized that there is no room for a third candidate.”
Some believe Bolsonaro will also enjoy a potential election battle with the bearded former union leader, who is a fool for many conservative voters.
Supporters of Lula expressed their joy over the decision on social media, and some used the hashtag # LulaPresidente2022. A PT ally tweeted it a video of the septuagenarian politician pumping iron in the gym to the sound of a song by Brazilian composer Chico Buarque called Tô Voltando (‘I’m Coming Back’). “Fill the house with flowers, because I’m on my way back,” the lyrics announce.
Meanwhile, there were signs of political heartburn from various personalities who tried to pretend to be so-called centric alternatives to Bolsonaro’s radical government. Bolsonaro’s alienated former health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who is reportedly planning a presidential election, tweeted: “The extremes are happy because they feed each other.”
Luciano Huck, one of Brazil’s most famous TV presenters and another potential competitor, tweeted“One thing is for sure: you can not complete a double-album sticker album.”