Overview

• Fernando Haddad stated on September 27 that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a 2026 contender during an appearance on the Podcast 3 Irmãos in São Paulo.
• He added that candidacies depend on circumstances and destiny, citing the 2018 stabbing of Jair Bolsonaro as an example of unpredictable events shaping outcomes.
• Lula previously told SBT on September 9 that he intends to run again and that a health problem is the sole scenario that could stop his bid.
• Reporting continues to present Haddad as a potential fallback option if Lula does not run, recalling his role as the Workers' Party nominee in 2018.
• There has been no formal campaign launch or legal filing, with signaling occurring through media interviews rather than official announcements.