Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
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| Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
| Caption | Official portrait, 2023 |
| Office | President of Brazil |
| Term start | 1 January 2023 |
| Vicepresident | Geraldo Alckmin |
| Predecessor1 | Jair Bolsonaro |
| Office2 | President of Brazil |
| Term start2 | 1 January 2003 |
| Term end2 | 1 January 2011 |
| Vicepresident2 | José Alencar |
| Predecessor2 | Fernando Henrique Cardoso |
| Successor2 | Dilma Rousseff |
| Office3 | Member of the Chamber of Deputies |
| Term start3 | 1 February 1987 |
| Term end3 | 1 February 1991 |
| Constituency3 | São Paulo |
| Birth name | Luiz Inácio da Silva |
| Birth date | 27 October 1945 |
| Birth place | Caetés, Pernambuco, Brazil |
| Party | Workers' Party (1980–present) |
| Otherparty | Brazilian Democratic Movement (before 1980) |
| Spouse | Maria de Lurdes da Silva (m. 1969; died 1971), Marisa Letícia (m. 1974; died 2017), Rosângela da Silva (m. 2022) |
| Occupation | Trade unionist, politician |
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a Brazilian politician and former union leader who has served as the President of Brazil since 2023, having previously held the office from 2003 to 2011. A founding member of the Workers' Party, he is the first left-wing leader to achieve the presidency in the country's modern democratic era. His tenure is noted for expansive social programs like Bolsa Família and significant diplomatic engagement, though his later career has been marked by major corruption investigations. He won an unprecedented third term in the 2022 election, defeating incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
Early life and career
Born in Caetés, Pernambuco, he moved as a child to São Paulo, where he worked as a metalworker and became a prominent union leader. He rose to national prominence during the strikes against the military dictatorship in the late 1970s. In 1980, he was a key founder of the Workers' Party, advocating for direct elections during the Diretas Já campaign. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1986 and ran unsuccessfully for president in 1989, 1994, and 1998 before his eventual victory.
Presidency (2003–2010)
His first administration launched the landmark Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer program and Fome Zero initiative, significantly reducing poverty. Economically, his government benefited from the global commodities boom, maintained relationships with the International Monetary Fund, and saw the rise of major corporations like Petrobras. In foreign policy, he pursued South-South cooperation, strengthening ties with China, India, and South Africa through forums like BRICS and IBSA Dialogue Forum, while sometimes clashing with the United States over trade and Iran. His chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff, won the 2010 election.
Post-presidency and legal issues
After leaving office, he faced investigations as a central figure in the Operation Car Wash probe centered on Petrobras. In 2017, he was convicted on corruption and money laundering charges related to the Odebrecht scandal and imprisoned in Curitiba. His imprisonment barred him from the 2018 presidential election, which was won by Jair Bolsonaro. However, in 2021, the Supreme Federal Court annulled his convictions, ruling the 4th Regional Federal Court lacked jurisdiction, and restored his political rights.
Second non-consecutive term (2023–present)
He returned to politics and won the 2022 presidential election against Jair Bolsonaro in a highly polarized contest. His third term began with the January 8 attacks on the National Congress, Supreme Federal Court, and Planalto Palace by Bolsonaro supporters. His administration has focused on reversing environmental policies in the Amazon rainforest, rebuilding social programs, and re-engaging with international bodies like the United Nations and the Paris Agreement. He has also sought to strengthen regional alliances through organizations like CELAC and Mercosur.
Political positions and legacy
Ideologically, he represents a pragmatic form of social democracy and democratic socialism, blending social welfare with market-oriented policies. His legacy is deeply associated with poverty reduction in Brazil and elevating the country's global profile, but is equally shadowed by the corruption scandals that engulfed his Workers' Party. His political resilience, from union leader to imprisoned ex-president and back to the Planalto Palace, makes him one of the most dominant and controversial figures in modern Brazilian history.
Category:Presidents of Brazil Category:Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil Category:Workers' Party (Brazil) politicians