Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva, once described by the Washington Post as the “strident union organiser
known for his bushy beard and Che Guevara t-shirts,” is Brazil’s
president-elect, again. Lula’s victory and Jair Bolsonaro’s defeat usher in a
new era in South American polity. A leftist leader’s victory in Brazil will
also anticipate environmental action in one of the most ecologically-sensitive
places in the world.

“I want to start with a
thank you to God, because I always thought that God was very generous with me
to allow me to leave where I left to get where I am,” Lula, a man who had
started out as a shoe-shiner at the age of 12, become President, gone to
prison, and returned as president said.

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The President-elect
said he considers himself a candidate “who had a process of resurrection in
Brazilian politics, because they tried to bury me alive and I am here.”

“I am here to govern
this country in a very difficult situation, but I have faith in God that, with
the help of the people, we are going to find a way out so that this country can
live democratically, harmoniously, and we can restore peace between families,
between those who diverse, so that we can build the world we need,” Lula said.  

Lula won the second
round of elections in Brazil on Sunday. He will be the President of Brazil from
January 1, 2023 for a four-year term.

Lula won nearly 51% of
the vote while Jair Bolsonaro won around 49%. This is the smallest margin by
which an election has been called in Brazil in its democratic history.

“We have reached the
end of one of the most important elections in our history. An election that put
two opposing projects of country face to face, and that today has a single and
great winner: the Brazilian people,” Lula said in his speech.

“On this historic 30th
of October, the majority of the Brazilian people made it clear that they want
more – not less – democracy,” the former trade unionist said.