Lula scraps for every vote in a part of Brazil he’s dominated for decades
Even a marginal erosion of support in the Brazilian president's biggest political stronghold could cost him reelection.
Douglas Oliveira, the son of a night watchman and a stay-at-home mother, cast his first ballot at age 16 in Brazil's northeast, helping President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secure a second term. Two decades later, Oliveira, now a software developer, opposes Lula's potential fourth consecutive presidency. This shift highlights a potential challenge for Lula, whose Workers' Party has long dominated the region, which accounts for over a quarter of Brazil's voters.
In 2006, Lula secured an overwhelming 77% of valid votes in the northeast. Four years ago, the region's support was around 69%, crucial in Lula's narrow victory to return to the presidency.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
