Lula has his work cut out for him
Facing a divided country and global crises, Brazil’s new president must focus on key priorities
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory over Jair Bolsonaro sends a powerful message to the rest of the world. Though he won only narrowly, Lula succeeded by building a broad democratic coalition spanning from the far left to the centre right. Facing a deeply divided country, the president-elect is now setting the tone for the four-year term that will begin in January 2023. In his victory speech, he promised to establish a civil, inclusive, conciliatory, and green government. And by calling for healing and solidarity, he offered a sharp contrast to his predecessor’s divisive rhetoric.
Make no mistake: Lula will face tremendous headwinds in governing the world’s fourth-largest democracy. He has an opportunity to be a transformational president, and in ways that would exceed what he achieved during his hugely popular first presidency from 2003 to 2010. He will need to offer a blueprint that emphasises four main priorities.
For starters, Lula must position Brazil as a green superpower and a global leader in the transition to a carbonneutral economy. Home to over 60 per cent of the world’s tropical forests, 20 per cent of its fresh water, and at least 10 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity, Brazil is particularly well suited to assume an environmental leadership role.
With the right incentives in place, Brazil is capable of building a 100 per cent renewable-energy grid and a sustainable food-production system. Equally important, the deforestation must end, especially in the Amazon, where 94 per cent of such activities are occurring illegally. Lula’s government will have to disrupt the complex illicit economies and supply chains that have been fuelling this destruction.
Promoting coexistence
Second, Lula must promote reconciliation and coexistence at home. As he noted in his victory speech, political
polarisation has heightened the risk of violence. The new government will need to foster closer partnerships with civil society and the major digital platforms to rein in disinformation and safeguard civic and digital rights.
Third, Lula should strive to reinvigorate global initiatives to address poverty, inequality, and food insecurity. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine, many lower- and middle-income countries’ sustainable-development efforts have suffered massive setbacks. Under Lula, Brazil should advocate a global agenda to promote not just the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals but also closer “South-South cooperation”.
Lastly, Lula should leverage Brazil’s international credibility to spur multilateral action against new global risks. Political and diplomatic leadership is needed to reinforce fragile norms barring weapons of mass destruction, to reduce the harms associated with new technologies, and to mobilise investments in climate-related mitigation and adaptation efforts. The world needs Brazil’s voice, which means that Brazil now needs to emerge from the shadows.