Brazil’s former president regains political rights after court ruling, setting stage for potential showdown with Bolsonaro.
In a stunning development in Brazilian politics, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has had his criminal convictions quashed by a supreme court judge, restoring his political rights and paving the way for a potential challenge to incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 elections.
Lula, a left-wing icon and leader of the Workers’ Party, had been imprisoned on corruption charges in 2018, a conviction that many saw as politically motivated. His release and the annulment of his convictions by the court have been described by analysts as a political game-changer, with many now expecting Lula to re-enter the presidential race.
Political observers, including Thomas Traumann from Rio de Janeiro, believe Lula’s path to candidacy is all but certain. Traumann noted, “The election starts today… It’s virtually impossible Lula won’t be a candidate.” Some have drawn parallels between Lula’s potential run and the 2016 U.S. presidential race, with comparisons made to Bernie Sanders’ challenge against Donald Trump.
Brazil’s leading financial newspaper, Valor Econômico, has declared that “Lula is back in the game,” signaling the return of one of Brazil’s most influential and controversial political figures.
