Brazil's Lula formally launches fourth-term presidential bid amid sovereignty message

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has formally launched his candidacy for October's presidential election, saying he is "in great shape" as he seeks a fourth and final term. The announcement was made at a Workers' Party convention in Sao Paulo, where the campaign focused on sovereignty, defence and resistance to outside pressure. The move sets up another high-stakes contest in a country where Lula remains one of the most polarising political figures.

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Lula, 80, framed his bid around experience and stability at a time of trade and diplomatic tensions with Washington. Although Donald Trump was not mentioned by name at the convention, the president and other left-wing figures repeatedly stressed the need to protect Brazil from external threats. Lula said he wanted to be prepared so that "no one invades this country", and urged greater investment in defence.

He also said his exercise routine kept him in good shape and joked that after a fourth term he and his wife would go on vacation. The campaign launch comes as Lula seeks to present himself as a safe pair of hands in turbulent times and as a counterweight to the global rise of the far right. Supporters at the event pointed to social programmes that they say have improved living standards, while critics continue to cite crime and corruption as persistent problems.

Lula returned to power three years ago after a period in jail on corruption convictions that were later annulled, following his earlier presidency from 2003 to 2010. The election also carries wider significance because Brazil is Latin America's largest economy and one of the region's most influential democracies. Lula's message of sovereignty reflects a broader political climate in which relations with the United States have become part of the domestic campaign narrative.

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The emphasis on defence and national autonomy suggests the race may be shaped not only by economic and social issues, but also by questions of Brazil's place in a more divided international environment. Lula's political career has long been defined by comeback and confrontation. A former metalworker and union leader, he won his last election by a razor-thin margin and remains loved and disliked in near-equal measure.

The Workers' Party has been in power for around 17 of the past 24 years, a record that supporters see as evidence of durability and opponents view as a sign of entrenched political dominance. His main rival is expected to be Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. What remains unclear is how far the campaign's sovereignty message will resonate beyond Lula's core supporters, and whether economic concerns or public security will dominate the race.

It is also not yet clear how the tensions with Washington will evolve during the campaign. Lula has said he will not run again after this term, making the October vote a potential final chapter in one of Brazil's most consequential political careers.

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