Lula, Brazil's political titan, defies the passage of time

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, has made history by becoming the first person to win a presidential runoff after losing the first round in Brazil. The 81-year-old titan of the political left defied expectations and narrowly defeated his 38-year-old opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, in the second round of the election. Lula's victory has preserved Brazil as a leftist stronghold amid a regional trend to the right, championed by US President Donald Trump.

Born into deep poverty in a family of illiterate farmers in northeastern Brazil, Lula began his political career as a metalworker and trade unionist. He served two terms as president, from 2003 to 2010, and was jailed for corruption before his return to power in 2014. Despite facing accusations of corruption and discontent among voters, Lula's campaign focused on his life story and legacy, which critics claim may not have resonated with weary Brazilians.

Lula's presidency saw him restore social programs, curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, and bolster Brazil's democracy. However, his tenure was marred by high public debt, which cost the government nearly $18 billion monthly in interest. Critics have also lambasted his election-season spending push, including an increase in the Bolsa Família social welfare benefits, which remain his most significant legacy.

Lula has not cultivated a potential successor and campaigned on stopping the far right from returning to power, his supporters viewing him as a symbol of the defense of democracy.