President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) said on Friday (5) that he is not afraid to face opponents in the 2026 presidential elections. Although not officially confirming that he will be the PT candidate in the next election, who turns 80 this year, said he will only give up the dispute if his health does not allow or if the party has a more competitive name.
“I do not choose an adversary. Honestly, I’ve faced many in several elections,” said the petista, recalling his career in presidential disputes since the 1980s. “I have a solid political history. Who must be worried are my possible opponents,” he added.
During a ministerial meeting in August, Lula cited the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), as a possible competitor to the Plateau. It was the first time that the president mentioned Tarcisio as presidential, changing the previous tone that pointed to the governor as a candidate for state reelection.
In the interview, the president avoided quoting names, but reaffirmed his opposition to the far right. “The extreme right will not go back to rule this country,” he said.
Despite showing a willingness to run, Lula insisted that the decision on his candidacy will be taken in 2026, and will depend on his physical condition.
“If I have my health today, I can say that I have no doubt that I will be a candidate for the presidency of the Republic,” he said.
Throughout the conversation, Lula also compared Getúlio Vargas, defended changes in the consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), commented on the crisis between the United States and Venezuela, as well as the conflict between Israel and Palestine. About former President Jair Bolsonaro, he was straightforward: “He’s not a normal figure.” The petista also defended the regulation of social networks and criticized US tariff barriers, pointing out difficulties in dialogue with Donald Trump’s government.
