Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been re-elected as the president of Brazil for another year. What happened to the great faith he inspired among many nationally and internationally?
Lula's environmental policy often resembles a tug-of-war between economic interests and climate protection. This was evident during his first two terms as president between 2003 and 2011. Yet he can also point to important successes: Illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest dropped significantly — by a third — in the first year of Lula's third term. However, Amazon's summit last August fell short of expectations.
Brazil is back on the world stage
A similar picture emerges in foreign policy: “Brazil is back on the world stage,” Lula declared at the UN General Assembly in September. “Lula is reshaping Brazilian foreign policy after years of international isolation under his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro,” said Roberto Goulart Menezes, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia.
Lula to diplomats
In terms of foreign policy, Lula seeks proximity to the United States, China and the European Union. He's going his own way: Lula rejected the West's request to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. Instead, he presented himself as a mediator — a member of the BRICS group, which also includes Russia and China.
Purana:
Brazil's President Lula (left) in a circle of honor at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on August 23, 2023.
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But a major diplomatic breakthrough has yet to materialize. Whether it will take place at this year's G-20 summit, which Brazil is hosting, is questionable. Relations with our South American neighbors have also been frozen since right-wing populist Javier Mille became president in Argentina.
A polarized country and a difficult legacy
“In terms of domestic policy, Lula tried to reassert the credibility of the institutions,” says political scientist Menez. He refers to the attempted coup in Brazil on January 8, 2023 – a week after Lula took office. Dialogue with the opposition is also important as the country is still divided.
With the tax reform relieving the burden on corporations and the change in the fiscal structure, the tax reform was able to celebrate important political victories, even though it was approved by only one chamber of parliament. Former President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters are still strong in parliament and pose a major challenge to Lula. Nevertheless, he managed to reform the “bolsa familia” – a social program for needy families.
Purana:
Fight against poverty: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks to thousands of poor people who survive by collecting recyclables at a Christmas party at the “Mane Caringe” stadium in Brasilia on December 22, 2023.
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“Until now, regardless of the number of children, all families received the same amount of money – children will now be taken into account more closely,” explains expert Menes. However, the government's room for maneuver is currently severely limited due to the balance of power – both in the national parliament and in the individual Brazilian states. That could change with this year's local elections.
Lula's first year in office had mixed results. Despite key legacy issues, Lula has achieved much, but there is still much to be done: climate protection, foreign policy and, in Brazil, political divisions still run deep.
“Wannabe pop culture fanatic. Zombie advocate. Entrepreneur. Internet evangelist. Alcohol fanatic. Typical travel buff.”
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