Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced Thursday that he will seek reelection next year, aiming for a fourth nonconsecutive term.
“I may be turning 80, but I have the same energy I did at 30. I’m running for a fourth term,” Lula told reporters during his official visit to Indonesia.
The Brazilian leader is currently on an Asian tour, meeting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto before heading to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit. Brazilian media reports say Lula is expected to hold his first in-person meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Malaysia on Sunday, following a cordial phone call earlier this month. The two are likely to discuss Trump’s recent 50% trade tariff on Brazilian goods.
Under Brazil’s constitution, presidents may serve only two consecutive terms, but Lula—who returned to power in 2023 after 13 years—remains eligible to run again.
Lula defeated right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro in 2022, marking his third term. At the time, he had suggested it would be his final campaign, citing age and a need for generational change. However, he later hinted at another run, saying in early 2023 that his decision would depend on his health and the nation’s political environment.
A central figure on Brazil’s political left, Lula is the country’s longest-serving president since its return to democracy four decades ago.
Concerns about his health persist after he underwent emergency surgery last year to treat a brain bleed caused by a fall. Despite this, Lula maintains he is fit, frequently posting videos of his exercise routines online.
Polls currently show Lula leading the race for the 2026 election, although about half of voters disapprove of his performance. Analysts say his popularity has recently rebounded following Trump’s tariff announcement, which bolstered his nationalist appeal.
His main rival, Bolsonaro, has been banned from running and sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. Political observers note that any viable challenger will likely depend on Bolsonaro’s support as he serves his sentence under house arrest.