Overview
- Lula formally launched his re‑election campaign at the Workers' Party national convention in São Paulo on Sunday, casting himself as a protector of Brazil's independence and resources.
- His main rival is Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who stepped up after his father was convicted over an attempt to overturn the 2022 result and has received public support from figures linked to President Donald Trump.
- Polling shows a close race, with a recent Datafolha survey putting Lula ahead 48% to 43% in a hypothetical second round, leaving the October outcome uncertain.
- Both camps face corruption scrutiny: investigators are probing alleged fundraising tied to Flávio Bolsonaro and a separate inquiry targets one of Lula's sons, while the campaign debate is further strained by US tariffs and visa disputes.
- Campaigns warn of foreign‑backed disinformation and attacks on Brazil's electronic voting system, a risk that helped trigger reported visa denials for US officials and sharp diplomatic exchanges that could shape turnout and trust in the vote.