Lula and the Brazilian left – political situation of Brazil
After three electoral defeats, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (the biggest leader within the Brazilian left) finally won the Brazilian presidential race in 2002. He ruled the country for 8 years, during which Brazil experienced a global commodity boom, which combined with Lula’s social programs focused on the poor, allowed millions of Brazilians to leave extreme poverty.
Brazil became more inclusive, better educated, and earned the status of an emerging power. When Lula left office, he was approved by 80 percent of Brazilians – and was respected by the top 1 percent almost as much as by the poor.
Now, eight years after the end of his second term, Lula is in prison, serving a 12-year sentence for passive corruption and money laundering. His Workers’ Party suffered major defeats in the 2016 municipal elections, losing in many key municipalities, including their crown jewel – São Paulo.
Barring the legal equivalent of a miracle, Lula will not be on the presidential ballot. So, where will the Brazilian left go in 2018 – and beyond?
The Brazilian report is a YoungDiplomats partner willing to develop a wise and objective point of view on Brazil. YoungDiplomats is proud to have such a partner and thanks the redactors of The Brazilian Report for their help and willingness in spreading an elaborated knowledge.
