THE BATTLE FOR BRAZIL
Former and current presidents face off in election
FORMER president Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva is hoping to reclaim the Brazilian presidency when he goes head-to-head with incumbent Jair Bolsonaro (67) at the polls later this month.
Lula (76) is the frontrunner and is seeking a comeback after leading the South American country from 2003 to 2010.
He rose from poverty to the presidency and is credited with building an extensive social-welfare programme during his tenure, which helped lift tens of millions out of poverty.
But he’s also remembered for being convicted on corruption charges. In 2018 he was jailed and sentenced to 12 years but was released from prison in 2019. His conviction was later vacated by Brazil’s highest court.
“It’s an important day for me,” Lula says of the election on 30 October. “Four years ago, I couldn’t vote because I was the victim of a lie. I want to try to help my country return to normal.”