Overview
- The Economist published an editorial arguing Lula, 80, should forgo re‑election as a further four‑year term is too risky, likening the age issue to Joe Biden and calling his economic approach mediocre.
- The editorial labeled Senator Flávio Bolsonaro "unpopular and ineffective" and floated São Paulo governor Tarcísio de Freitas as a stronger right‑wing option, though Tarcísio has said he will not run and has endorsed Flávio.
- PT figures including Gleisi Hoffmann, Edinho Silva and Humberto Costa rejected the piece as biased, defended Lula’s vitality and cited recent economic gains as justification for his planned 2026 run.
- The Financial Times listed Lula as the favorite in its year‑ahead predictions, crediting solid economic indicators and missteps by the right, with the caveat that health surprises could alter the race.
- Opposition voices such as Senator Sérgio Moro amplified The Economist’s critique, while polling cited in coverage shows a significant share of voters opposing a Lula re‑election bid as the right remains fragmented.