Key facts
- Lula's victory offers a potential model for social and environmental movements globally.
- Brazil announced a record fall in Amazon and Cerrado destruction prior to the election.
- Lula's campaign utilized a WhatsApp group called "Lula's Army" for digital outreach.
- Lula's campaign accused Meta of algorithmic bias favoring Bolsonaro.
- Lula promised to increase social spending and raise the minimum wage.
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured a comeback victory in Brazil's presidential runoff against Jair Bolsonaro, a result celebrated by supporters and environmentalists worldwide. The win follows a period of reduced deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado regions, raising hopes for Brazil to achieve its 2030 zero deforestation target and support a global shift away from fossil fuels. However, Lula faces significant challenges, including a Congress dominated by agribusiness and mining interests, and potential pressure from the US regarding critical minerals. The article highlights seven lessons from Lula's campaign, emphasizing the importance of political engagement, persistent mobilization, strategic digital campaigning, confronting social media platforms, reclaiming national symbols, increasing social spending, and defending sovereignty.