Lula Says 2026 Has Begun and Rejects Handing the Country "Back to Neo-Nazism"

At a ministerial meeting, the president says adversaries are already campaigning

Jan.21.2025 1:54PM


Marianna Holanda
Victoria Azevedo

Brasília
Lula says 2026 has already begun and that he doesn’t want to hand the country "back to neo-Nazism"

President Lula said during a ministerial meeting that the 2026 electoral campaign has already begun and that he doesn’t want to hand the country "back to neo-Nazism," referring to the government of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

"2026 has already started. If not for us, because we need to work, clear the field, and remove all obstacles, then for our adversaries—the election next year has already begun. Just look at what you see online to realize they are already campaigning. For us, the early campaign means working, working, working, and delivering what the people need."

"We need to say it loud and clear: we want to elect a government to continue the country’s democratic process; we do not want to hand this country back to neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, or authoritarianism. We want to hand it over with great education," he added, drawing applause from those present.

Lula’s remarks about the opposition already starting the 2026 campaign were made during the opening of the ministerial meeting at Granja do Torto. It was the first cabinet meeting of the year.

https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2025/01/lula-says-2026-has-begun-and-rejects-handing-the-country-back-to-neo-nazism.shtml