Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has officially announced that he will seek a fourth term in next year’s election, signaling his intent to extend one of Latin America’s most remarkable political careers.
Speaking during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, Lula confirmed his decision to run again, declaring that his age would not hold him back.
“I’m about to turn 80, but you can be sure that I’ve got as much energy as I did when I was 30. And I’m going to run for a fourth term in Brazil,” Lula said confidently during his address.
The veteran leader, who first ran for office in 1982, has long been a dominant figure in Brazilian politics and the wider Latin American left.
If elected, he would complete an extraordinary 16 years in power by the end of his next term, making him the only democratically elected Brazilian president to achieve that milestone.
Lula, who returned to power in 2023 after defeating far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, remains immensely popular among his supporters and is widely seen as a political survivor.
The Daily National News reports that Lula’s announcement has reignited debate about the role of aging leaders in global politics, coming in the wake of U.S. President Joe Biden’s failed reelection bid in 2024.
Some Brazilian voters have expressed concern about whether Lula’s age might affect his leadership, but his allies insist he remains vigorous and mentally sharp.
Fernando Morais, a close friend and Lula’s official biographer, said the president is in excellent health, disciplined in his routines, and remains mentally alert.
“He’s not Joe Biden,” Morais told The Daily National News. “I’ve never seen him suffer a memory lapse, not in public and not in private. He has astounding physical energy and the strength of spirit to match it.”
Morais shared a photograph of Lula punching a boxing bag in red gloves as proof of his vitality, insisting the president still maintains an intense exercise routine.
The writer recalled how Lula once flew nearly 24 hours from India to Brazil with a brief stop in Mozambique, only to head straight to a rally instead of resting.
“He hardly needs to sleep. Four or five hours and he’s good to go,” Morais said.
Lula’s political journey began more than four decades ago when he ran for office as a metalworker and union leader. After three failed attempts, he finally won the presidency in 2002, becoming Brazil’s first working-class head of state.
The 79-year-old leader appears well-positioned ahead of next year’s election. Brazil’s political right remains in turmoil following Bolsonaro’s conviction and 27-year prison sentence for attempting to subvert Lula’s 2022 victory.
Polls suggest Lula would easily defeat any of Bolsonaro’s potential successors, including São Paulo governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who is considered the leading right-wing contender.
Lula’s prospects have also benefited from recent tensions between the Trump administration and Brazil’s government, after Washington imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian exports in a failed bid to pressure Lula.
Ironically, former U.S. president Donald Trump has recently softened his tone, calling Lula “a very nice man.” The two are expected to meet in Malaysia this weekend.
Morais believes Lula’s chances of winning a fourth term are strong. “If the election were held today, Lula would win in the first round,” he said.
“I’m convinced his fourth term will be his best term of all and that it will secure his place in history through the front door.”
However, analysts warn that the 2026 election could still be fiercely competitive.
Political commentator Celso Rocha de Barros told The Daily National News that while Lula remains a slight favorite, “the election is still completely open.”
Barros predicted a close race against De Freitas, who is expected to have the backing of Brazil’s conservative political and economic elite.
Guilherme Boulos, a rising left-wing politician and one of Lula’s protégés, has also cautioned that the next election could be one of the most polarized in Brazil’s history.
“In the last election, Lula only beat Bolsonaro by 2 million votes. The country remains deeply divided, and the far-right will not back down easily,” Boulos said.
He added that misinformation and social media manipulation could again play a decisive role. “It’s going to be war,” Boulos warned.
As Lula prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday, his renewed campaign is expected to focus on social equality, economic recovery, and environmental protection, issues that have defined his legacy for decades.
Despite his age, Lula’s enduring energy and charisma continue to captivate millions of Brazilians who see him as the symbol of the country’s working-class struggle.
