Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced his intention to seek reelection in 2026, setting the stage for a potential fourth term. The declaration, made during a political event in São Bernardo do Campo, signals a continued commitment to leading the country and comes as his administration navigates complex economic and political challenges.
Speaking at an event supporting Finance Minister Fernando Haddad’s potential candidacy for Governor of São Paulo, Lula indicated a willingness to abandon his previous campaign slogan, “Lulinha paz e amor” (Lulinha peace and love). “I am 80 years old, and you think I don’t want to be a candidate? I will be a candidate, yes,” Lula said, adding that as long as he has the energy of a 30-year-old, the far-right will not govern Brazil again.
While reaffirming his desire to run for president, Lula also addressed the future role of current Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. He stated he had discussed potential options with Alckmin, including a possible run for the Senate. “I spoke with Alckmin this week. I said, ‘Comrade Alckmin, what do you want to be?’ I would be immensely happy to have Alckmin as my vice again. He is a colleague I have learned to like, a very loyal colleague,” Lula declared.
The president emphasized the importance of a strong senatorial candidate alongside Haddad in São Paulo, noting the current lack of viable contenders for the opposition. “Haddad, if he [Alckmin] is my vice, I am calm, but you require to craft a senatorial slate that can help you win. And they don’t have a senator to compete with us. They will invent names. We already had two senators in São Paulo. People can go back to having two,” Lula said. He added, “I don’t realize if Geraldo will try for the Senate, but the vice presidency is open to him.”
Lula also playfully acknowledged Alckmin’s past electoral successes against the Workers’ Party (PT) in São Paulo. “Alckmin defeated us four times in São Paulo. This guy with that saintly face defeated us four times in São Paulo. But we weren’t enemies. If I ran into Alckmin, I would greet him, hug him, and ask him to buy a beer – and he wouldn’t,” Lula joked.
The event was also attended by Education Minister Camilo Santana, Chief of Staff Guilherme Boulos, Labor and Employment Minister Luiz Marinho, Agrarian Development Minister Paulo Teixeira, and PT President Edinho Silva.
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