Brazil’s Lula Launches Re-Election Campaign Amid Foreign Interference Concerns

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday formally launched what is expected to be his final re-election campaign.

With his Workers’ Party portraying next year’s presidential race as a battle to safeguard the country’s sovereignty amid growing concerns over foreign political influence. The 80-year-old leader, seeking a seventh run for Brazil’s highest office, used the party convention to pledge stronger protection of the country’s strategic resources and greater investment in its defence industry.

“We will have to be much more daring to change a lot of things in this country,” Lula told party members. Emphasising Brazil’s control over its natural wealth, he declared: “No Chinese, no American, no French will touch these resources without respecting Brazil’s sovereignty.”

Foreign Influence Takes Centre Stage

Lula’s Workers’ Party repeatedly raised concerns about alleged foreign interference in Brazil’s October presidential election.

Party chairman Edinho Silva argued that the outcome would have implications beyond Brazil.

“This election in Brazil determines the future of Latin America,” Silva said, warning against what party leaders described as growing external attempts to influence the country’s politics.

Lula’s main political rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has received public backing from figures linked to US President Donald Trump’s administration, Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Campaign Focuses on Economy

Lula enters the campaign with stronger approval ratings than he had six months ago after securing the support of several centrist political parties.

His campaign is centred on reducing the tax burden for lower-income Brazilians through income tax reforms and expanding a debt-relief programme that has gained significant public support.

Workers’ Party leaders have also expressed concerns over the possibility of coordinated online disinformation campaigns, automated bot networks and attempts to undermine confidence in Brazil’s electronic voting system.

Earlier this week, Lula said he did not want a confrontation with Trump despite growing diplomatic tensions.

Bolsonaro Camp Under Spotlight

Former president Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of Trump, is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being convicted over an attempted coup. His son, Flávio Bolsonaro, has continued to question Brazil’s electronic voting system without providing evidence, echoing claims previously made by his father.

Speaking at the convention, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who will once again be Lula’s running mate, defended the country’s voting process.

“Brazil’s electronic voting system is so good that it doesn’t take votes from Argentines and Americans,” Alckmin said, in an apparent reference to Milei and Trump.

Diplomatic Tensions Intensify

Relations between Brazil and some foreign governments have become increasingly strained in recent weeks.

The Trump administration recently imposed fresh tariffs on Brazilian exports and designated two Brazilian criminal organisations as terrorist groups. The measures came after Senator Bolsonaro visited Washington, prompting criticism from Lula’s allies.

Meanwhile, Milei sparked a diplomatic row during a political event in São Paulo last month after criticising Lula and the Supreme Court justice who presided over Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial.

Netanyahu has also publicly endorsed Lula’s political opponents through a recorded video message.

Lula has framed the election as a defence of Brazil’s sovereignty and recently held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the importance of Brazil’s relationship with one of its largest trading partners.

Brazilian officials have also voiced concerns over alleged attempts to undermine confidence in the country’s electoral system. Last month, the foreign ministry denied visas to two US State Department officials amid reports they could interfere in election-related matters. The US State Department denied those allegations.