Overview
- Lula, 80, is told by The Economist that another term is too risky, with the editorial citing age, a Biden comparison, and his 2024 brain surgery to argue that charisma cannot shield against cognitive decline.
- The editorial labels Senator Flávio Bolsonaro "unpopular" and "ineffective" and floats São Paulo governor Tarcísio de Freitas as a stronger right-wing option, even though Tarcísio has said he will not run and has endorsed Flávio.
- Lula’s allies push back, with Gleisi Hoffmann calling the piece a mouthpiece for global finance and Humberto Costa describing it as a desperate move by the right, while Lula has signaled he intends to seek re-election.
- The Financial Times includes a prediction that Lula is the 2026 front-runner, attributing his advantage to robust economic indicators, his stance against U.S. tariff pressure under President Trump, and opposition missteps such as urging foreign sanctions on Brazil.
- Polling referenced in the coverage shows significant resistance to a fourth Lula bid and stagnant approval ratings, highlighting voter ambivalence as the right remains divided without a consensus challenger.