Overview
- In a Dec. 30 editorial, The Economist says President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should not seek re-election in 2026, even as he has signaled he intends to run.
- The piece warns that four more years for an octogenarian poses undue risk, citing cognitive decline concerns and drawing a cautionary parallel with Joe Biden.
- It labels Lula’s economic program “mediocre,” focused on transfers and revenue moves seen as unfriendly to business, while noting the achievement of a simplified tax reform.
- The editorial says Lula remains the favorite partly because he has not cultivated a viable center-left successor, referencing Datafolha findings of 57% opposition to another bid in June and a December approval of 32% versus 37% disapproval.
- On the right, it calls Senator Flávio Bolsonaro unpopular and ineffective, promotes São Paulo governor Tarcísio de Freitas as a stronger institutional option, and notes he has said he will not run and has endorsed Flávio.