Lula sees his win as “a lesson for the world” after setbacks for Netanyahu and Trump

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva viewed his October 25 re-election as "a lesson for the world," drawing parallels to the recent electoral setbacks faced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Speaking on a live YouTube broadcast on Thursday, Lula, 81, noted that "my friend Trump is losing in the United States" alongside Netanyahu's loss in Israel.

Lula, in a one-and-a-half-hour livestream with congressman André Janones, who helped craft his digital strategy, acknowledged feeling more apprehensive than in his first term, vowing to avoid failure and not betraying his supporters. The president defended his priorities, such as banning online betting, exploiting critical minerals, and upholding the importance of the university entrance exam, while expressing a desire to engage the public more through social media.

Lula vowed to speak more directly to the people via social media, stating, "I will no longer allow the press to interpret what I think." He also invited Janones to join him on his first official trip since the election: the UN climate summit in Turkey and a meeting with Southeast Asian nations in Manila. In Israel's October 27 election, Netanyahu's coalition failed to secure a parliamentary majority, amassing 53 out of 120 seats; Netanyahu has since accused of electoral fraud.

The United States saw Democrats regain control of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. Lula is scheduled to take office for his fourth term on January 5.