A Supreme Court Judge has annulled a series of criminal convictions against Brazil’s former President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court also restored his political rights, setting him up for a “sensational comeback attempt”. brazil
The ruling, which analysts call a “political bombshell” means, Lula is almost certain to challenge Brazil’s incumbent President, Jair Bolsonaro, in the 2022 presidential election.
Thomas Traumann, a Rio de Janeiro-based political observer intimated that if “The election starts today … It’s virtually impossible Lula won’t be a candidate.
“In American terms, it’s going to be like Sanders versus Trump.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Lula was president of Latin America’s largest economy for two terms, between 2003 and 2011. During his terms, he oversaw a historic period of commodity-fuelled growth and poverty reduction. As a result, former US President, Barack Obama once referred to him as the most popular politician on earth
The 75-year old is the highest ranking official in the Workers’ Party. He was planning to seek a third term in 2018 but was sidelined after being jailed on disputed corruption charges.
The charges included allegedly receiving an apartment worth about $1 million as a bribe from construction company OAS. He has always denied ownership of the apartment.
Another charge involved his alleged ownership of a ranch in Atibaia, outside Sao Paulo. The former President received an over 12 years sentence after a trial. This paved the way for President Bolsonaro’s landslide victory in 2018.
Lula was released from prison in November 2019 after 580 days behind bars. He couldn’t contest in the elections because he was stripped of his political rights.
Election 2022 Brazil
In an interview prior to the Judge’s decision, the former shoeshine played down speculation he would challenge Bolsonaro in 2022.
He however accused the President of leading Brazilians “to the slaughterhouse” with his “grotesque” and “reckless” response to Covid-19.
“You can be certain the left will be governing Brazil again after 2022. We will vote for someone who is committed to human rights and respects them. Who respects environmental protection, who respects the Amazon … who respects blacks and the indigenous. We’re going to elect someone who is committed to the poor of this country.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
A turning point
Political observer, Thomas Traumann also told reporters that the ruling is an unmistakable turning point. As well as a potential positive for those who want to see the back of President Bolsonaro.
He noted that under Bolsonoro’s highly controversial watch, more than 265,000 Brazilians have lost their lives to Covid-19.
“If you are absolutely opposed to Bolsonaro, this is good news – because you have a candidate who is undeniably strong, popular and who can defeat Bolsonaro.
“The problem is that there are a pretty reasonable number of people who don’t want either of them [as president]. And if these people don’t get together and come up with a [third] candidate now, there will be no room for them.
“If the other candidates don’t decide to run now, by the time we get to next year things will be so polarised that there will be no room for a third candidate.”
Thomas Traumann
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