The Brazilians elected their own Donald Trump

Leader  

Ingvar Persson 

 

The Brazilians elected their own Donald Trump Lula da Silva has the radiance of a superstar 

 

Published: Less than 2 hours ago 

 

Aftonbladet's editorial page is independent social democratic. 

 

Lula da Silva addresses his supporters. Photo: Andre Penner / AP LEADER 

 

Last Thursday, Lula da Silva turned 77. In two months, on January 1, he can again title himself president of Brazil. 

 

The former trade unionist began his victory speech in the industrial city of San Paulo by declaring that his first priority is that no Brazilian should go hungry. Then he went on to talk about stopping the looting of the Amazon rainforest. 

 

The radiation remains 

 

Lula da Silva still seems to have retained his charisma. In the early 2000s, it made him one of the superstars of international politics. He also became a hope for the giant country's many poor and for progressives around the world. 

 

Yesterday, the radiance was enough to defeat the extreme right-wing nationalist Jair Bolsonaro by the smallest possible margin. 

 

World leaders have been quick to congratulate Brazil's newly elected president. The truth is that hardly anyone thinks that right-wing extremism, populism and polarization are what the world needs today. 

 

Ironic accusations 

 

In a country where politics is characterized by systematic abuse of power and bribery, it is an irony that the very leader who does not come from the network of the powerful has been accused of corruption. Lula led the country between 2003 and 2010. 

 

In 2017, he was convicted of dishonest business and was imprisoned for 580 days before the conviction was overturned. 

 

"They tried to bury me alive, but here I am," Lula told his supporters last night. 

 

He also promised to be a president for the whole country and a leadership that unites. We know from closer quarters than South America that it can be easier said than done. Lula da Silva must also be pitted against a Congress where Bolsonaro's supporters still have the majority. 

 

Following in Trump's footsteps 

 

And as if that were not enough, his opponent in the election following the pattern of Donald Trump has done his best to spread doubts about the validity of the election. Yesterday, Bolsonaro chose silence and did not admit defeat. 

 

Brazil faces enormous challenges. Enormous poverty, gigantic class gaps and a climate disaster that may very soon have passed the point where the trend can be reversed. In addition, division, polarization and political impotence. 

 

The fact that the Brazilian voters yesterday chose Lula da Silva still shows that hope is alive.