Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president since 2023, is seeking a fourth term in the October 25, 2026 runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro. He finished second in the first round with 45.16% of valid votes, and Datafolha and Quaest polls give him 49% of valid votes, a statistical tie with his rival. Two days after the vote, on October 27, he turns 81.
Who Lula da Silva is
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
| Born | October 27, 1945, Caetés (Pernambuco) |
| Party | Workers' Party (PT), number 13 |
| Running mate | Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), vice president since 2023 |
| Coalition | Brasil Pronto Pra Mais |
| Terms | 2003-2006, 2007-2010 and 2023-2026 |
| Declared assets | R$ 4.78 million |
The coalition and running mate are those of the TSE registration reported by Brasil de Fato; the assets, those of his record published by O Tempo.
From metalworker to president
Lula was born in the backlands of Pernambuco and moved to São Paulo as a child with his mother and siblings. He worked as a lathe operator, lost a finger in a workplace accident and in the 1970s led the São Bernardo do Campo metalworkers' union, from where he headed major strikes against the dictatorship. In 1980 he founded the Workers' Party, his biography on Wikipedia records.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Founds the Workers' Party (PT) |
| 1986 | Elected federal deputy |
| 1989, 1994 and 1998 | Loses three presidential elections |
| 2002 | Wins the presidency; re-elected in 2006 |
| 2018-2019 | Spends 580 days in prison after a Lava Jato conviction |
| 2021 | The Supreme Court annuls his convictions |
| 2022 | Defeats Jair Bolsonaro with 50.9% of the vote |
| 2026 | Seeks a fourth term |
Lula da Silva's governments
In his first two terms (2003-2010) he created programmes such as Bolsa Família, a cash transfer to poor families, and left office with high approval ratings. In 2017 he was convicted of corruption in the case of the Guarujá triplex apartment, part of the Lava Jato operation, and was jailed from April 2018 to November 2019. In 2021 the Supreme Federal Court annulled his convictions, ruling that the Curitiba court lacked jurisdiction, which allowed him to run again and win the 2022 election.
Lula's proposals for 2026
His 84-page government programme emphasises national sovereignty: the word appears on 21 pages, according to Brasil de Fato. Among the proposals reported by CNN Brasil:
- Security: create a Ministry of Public Security, which depends on Congress approving a constitutional amendment under discussion.
- Digital platforms: broaden regulation of social networks and platforms.
- Health: expand the Farmácia Popular programme.
- Public spending: a pact among the branches of government to cut spending and limit parliamentary amendments.
Both candidates' full programmes are on the TSE website.
The race against Flávio Bolsonaro
Lula enters the runoff behind in the first round and in the polls, but within the margin of error. It is the second time he has faced the Bolsonaro family: in 2022 he beat Jair Bolsonaro by less than two points. His rival's profile is in Flávio Bolsonaro: who he is, career and proposals, and the results and debate dates in Brazil's 2026 runoff. To compare with the salaries of other leaders in the region, see how much the president of Chile earns.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Lula?
He is 80 and turns 81 on October 27, 2026, two days after the runoff.
How many times has Lula been president?
Three: from 2003 to 2006, from 2007 to 2010 and since 2023. In 2026 he is seeking a fourth term.
Why was Lula in prison?
He was convicted in 2017 in the Guarujá triplex case, part of the Lava Jato operation, and spent 580 days in prison. In 2021 the Supreme Court annulled his convictions.
Who is Lula's running mate?
Geraldo Alckmin, vice president since 2023.
How much did Lula get in the first round?
45.16% of valid votes, 53,879,538 votes, second place.
