So, you're asking about the guy at the top in Brasília? Honestly, it’s a name you’ve probably heard for decades, yet it feels like he's just getting started again.
The current president of Brazil is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Most people just call him "Lula." It’s simpler. He’s currently serving his third non-consecutive term, having taken the oath on January 1, 2023. If you're keeping track, that makes him the 39th president of the country.
But saying "he's the president" is kinda like saying Pelé was "just a soccer player." There’s a massive amount of history, drama, and a literal prison stint between his first time in office and where he sits today in the Palácio da Alvorada.
Who is the Current President of Brazil and How Did He Get Back?
Lula isn't just a politician; he's basically a living institution in South America. Born into poverty in the Northeast, he was a shoe-shiner and a metalworker before he ever touched a microphone. He actually lost a finger in a factory accident back in the day. That’s the kind of "man of the people" backstory that his supporters absolutely live for.
He first led Brazil from 2003 to 2010. Those were the "golden years" for many. High commodity prices meant he could pour money into social programs like Bolsa Família, which lifted millions out of extreme poverty. When he left office the first time, his approval rating was somewhere near 80%.
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Then things got messy. Like, really messy.
He was caught up in the "Operation Car Wash" (Lava Jato) corruption scandal and actually spent 580 days in jail. His political career looked dead. Buried. But in a wild twist, the Supreme Court eventually annulled his convictions, ruling that the judge in his case was biased. This cleared the path for his 2022 comeback against the far-right incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro.
It was the tightest election in Brazil's history. Lula won by less than 2%, a razor-thin margin that showed just how split the country really is.
What’s Happening Right Now in 2026?
We are currently in the thick of his third term, and things aren't exactly quiet. As of early 2026, Lula is 80 years old. You might think he’d be slowing down, but he recently announced he’s going to run for a fourth term in the October 2026 elections.
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Why run again at 80? Well, he says he’s got the energy of a 30-year-old. More importantly, he feels he’s the only one who can keep the "troglodytes"—his word for the far-right—out of power.
The Big Battles of 2026
Right now, the political scene in Brazil is a pressure cooker. Here is what’s actually on his plate:
- The Trump Factor: With Donald Trump back in the White House, the vibe between Brasília and Washington has shifted from "tense" to "adversarial." There’s a 50% trade tariff hanging over Brazilian goods, and Lula has been positioning himself as the defender of Brazilian sovereignty against "Yankee interference."
- The Bolsonaro Sentence: His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a coup plot following the 2022 election. Just a few days ago, on the anniversary of the January 8th riots, Lula vetoed a bill from Congress that tried to slash Bolsonaro’s prison time.
- The Mercosur-EU Deal: This is huge. After 25 years of talking about it, Lula just signed a massive trade deal with the European Union. It’s a middle finger to global protectionism and a sign that he wants Brazil to be a major player on the world stage again.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
A lot of folks think Lula is a hard-line communist. He’s really not. He’s more of a pragmatic leftist. He likes big government spending, sure, but he also knows he needs the big banks and the "Agro" sector (Brazil's massive farming industry) to keep the economy moving.
He’s currently trying to balance "Green" policies—like protecting the Amazon for the COP30 climate summit in Belém—with the reality that Brazil still relies heavily on oil and beef exports. It’s a tightrope walk. Half the country loves him as a savior; the other half sees him as the face of corruption. There isn't much middle ground.
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Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
If you're watching Brazil for business, travel, or just out of curiosity, here’s the "so what" of the current situation:
- Market Volatility is Coming: With the October 2026 election looming and Lula seeking a fourth term, expect the Brazilian Real (BRL) to be a bit of a roller coaster.
- Sustainability is the New Currency: If you're looking at Brazilian investments, focus on "Green" initiatives. Lula is betting the house on being a global leader in climate change to secure international funding.
- Watch the "Centrão": In Brazil, the president doesn't rule alone. He has to negotiate every single bill with a group of centrist parties in Congress who basically trade votes for government positions. If they turn on Lula, his fourth-term dreams could evaporate.
Brazil is currently at a crossroads. It’s a country with a massive economy, a recovering democracy, and a president who refuses to retire. Whether you think he’s a hero or a villain, you can't deny that the "Lula era" is far from over.
To stay informed, keep an eye on the polling numbers coming out of São Paulo and Minas Gerais over the next few months. Those states usually decide who wins the whole thing.