Lula Announces Bid for Historic Fourth Term, Vows He Still Has ‘Energy of a 30-Year-Old’

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has confirmed he will seek a fourth presidential term in next year’s election, setting the stage for a potentially historic contest that could extend one of Latin America’s most enduring political careers.
Speaking in Jakarta, Indonesia, Lula declared, “I’m about to turn 80, but I’ve got as much energy as I did when I was 30. And I’m going to run for a fourth term in Brazil.” The former metalworker and union leader first entered politics in 1982 and rose to become Brazil’s first working-class president in 2002.
If re-elected, Lula would be 85 by the end of his next term, making him the only democratically elected Brazilian president to serve 16 years in office. Despite his age, Lula’s allies insist he remains vigorous and mentally sharp, with biographer Fernando Morais describing him as “fit as a fiddle” and tireless in his work ethic.
Polls suggest Lula is well-positioned heading into the 2026 race, especially as Brazil’s right-wing bloc reels from the downfall of Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to overturn the last election. However, analysts warn the contest could still be close, with São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a former Bolsonaro ally, emerging as a likely conservative challenger.
Lula’s administration has recently gained momentum after failed attempts by the Trump administration to sanction Brazil in defense of Bolsonaro, moves that have backfired politically and strengthened Lula’s standing. Trump has since softened his tone toward Lula, and the two leaders are expected to meet in Malaysia this weekend.
While some observers predict Lula could win easily, others caution that Brazil’s deep political polarization and the influence of social media could make the election one of the most hard-fought in the nation’s history.