Four years ago, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s reputation and political future were in tatters. After an unlikely rise from poverty to union leader to Brazil’s presidency, the man universally known as Lula had landed in prison.
On Sunday – in yet another twist – Brazil’s voters chose him by the narrowest of margins to once again lead the world’s fourth-largest democracy. He will also be putting his legacy on the line.
“They tried to bury me alive, and I am here”, Lula said in a speech on Sunday night after results confirmed his third presidential win. “I am here to govern in a very difficult situation. But I have faith in God that, with our people’s help, we will find a way out for this country”.
Lula’s life has unfolded in such a unique, extraordinary way that it strains credulity.
His family moved from poor northeastern Brazil to Sao Paulo state in pursuit of a better life, following his father, who had travelled south years before. Upon arriving, however, they found he had settled down with another woman. Lula’s mother was left alone to raise eight children, of whom little Lula was the...
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