Lula Announces Fourth Presidential Run, Defies Age Concerns

São Paulo, Oct 23 (AP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Thursday that he plans to run for reelection next year, aiming for a fourth nonconsecutive term in office. “I'm turning 80, but you can be sure I have the same energy I had when I was 30. And I'm going to run for a fourth term in Brazil,” Lula declared to reporters during his official visit to Indonesia.

The Brazilian leader is currently on a diplomatic tour across Asia. Following his visit to Indonesia, where he met with President Prabowo Subianto, Lula is scheduled to travel to Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. Brazilian media has reported that he is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Malaysia on Sunday for the first time, following a conciliatory phone call earlier this month. The two leaders are set to discuss the 50 percent trade tariff Trump imposed on Brazil.

The Brazilian constitution permits presidents to serve only two consecutive terms. Lula returned to office in 2023 after a 13-year hiatus, allowing him eligibility to run again. Prior to defeating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022 to secure a third nonconsecutive term, Lula stated that the campaign would be his last, citing both his age and the need for political renewal in Brazil. However, he began hinting early in his current term about the possibility of running again.

In February 2023, Lula acknowledged the potential for a reelection bid in 2026, noting that his decision would hinge on the nation's political climate and his personal health. As a prominent figure on Brazil's left, Lula holds the record as the country's longest-serving president since the return to democracy four decades ago.

Despite concerns from some Brazilian politicians about Lula's age and recent health issues—following emergency surgery for a brain bleed late last year after a fall—Lula consistently assures the public of his health and vitality, frequently sharing workout videos on social media platforms. Lula currently leads all polls for the 2026 election, though approximately half of the electorate disapproves of him. The tariffs imposed by Trump have reinvigorated his political standing and boosted his popularity.

His main political opponent, Jair Bolsonaro, has been barred from running for office and sentenced to 27 years imprisonment for attempting a coup. While a strong opposition candidate has not yet emerged, analysts suggest that a viable challenger may rely on Bolsonaro’s endorsement as he serves his sentence under house arrest.

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