Key facts
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 81, acquired his first smartphone.
- Lula is seeking an unprecedented fourth term in office.
- Nikolas Ferreira, 30, and Lucas Pavanato, 28, won over 3 million votes each in congressional elections.
- Erika Hilton, 33, and Ana Elisa Silva, 21, were elected with over half a million votes each.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, nearing his 81st birthday, has acquired his first smartphone, signaling an effort to connect with the country's increasingly online electorate. This move comes as younger, social media-savvy candidates have demonstrated significant success in recent elections. Lula's campaign has enlisted law student Ana Elisa Silva to help him adapt his communication strategy to digital platforms, acknowledging the need to align with modern information consumption, especially among young people. The rise of 'influencer politicians' is seen as a natural evolution in campaign strategies, where candidates leverage their online followings to mobilize voters.