By admin 
RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been officially nominated by his left-wing Workers’ Party (PT) as its candidate for a fourth term in office.
Read more About 60,000 ordered to evacuate from fires in Spokane, Washington
“I am infinitely fitter than I was when I was 57 years old and took office for the first time. I am in top shape,” the 80-year-old Lula told supporters at the party conference in São Paulo on Sunday.
Under the Brazilian constitution, a president may be reelected directly for a second consecutive term. Having previously served from 2003 to 2010, Lula returned to office in 2023. A further election victory would give him a fourth term overall. Geraldo Alckmin is again set to serve as his vice president.
Lula’s most important challenger is right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for an attempted coup. Flávio was nominated as a candidate by his Liberal Party (PL) last week.
The Bolsonaro family maintains close political ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, though Flávio is considered less popular than his father was and has so far been unable to count on the united support of the conservative camp.
Read more FBI vows ‘thorough investigation’ after deadly shooting at In-N-Out in Twin Falls
Argentinian President Javier Milei also appeared at the Bolsonaro party event, launching sharp attacks on both Lula and the Brazilian judiciary. The appearance triggered a diplomatic row described as one of the most serious disputes between the two neighboring South American countries in decades.
Further controversy was caused by an AI-generated video featuring Jair Bolsonaro, which his defense team said the former president, who is currently under house arrest, had not authorized. Electoral authorities are examining possible violations, though disqualification of his son’s candidacy is considered unlikely.
According to the latest poll by research institute Datafolha, the left-wing president currently leads his challenger in voter approval. Other candidates from smaller parties are significantly further behind.
Brazil’s presidential election in Latin America’s largest economy is scheduled for October 4. If no candidate wins an absolute majority, a run-off will be held on October 25.
Read more Breaking: Generator Fire reported in Calaveras County on Aug. 2
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.