Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva launched his re-election campaign this Sunday during a massive event in São Paulo, with a speech focused on combating gender violence and organized crime, and the promise of continuing social programs.

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“In my fourth term, I want to end some of the dilemmas of our country,” said Lula, 80, in front of thousands of supporters gathered at the Vila Euclides municipal stadium, where he led historic union strikes during the military dictatorship.

As he spoke, the chant that always accompanies the progressive leader’s events resonated in a nearly full stadium: “Olé, olé, olé, olé, Lula, Lulaaa.”

Two months before the elections, the president recalled milestones of his political career and what he considers to be the achievements of his current administration, such as the creation of 10 million formal jobs in three and a half years, and the expansion of social programs.

“What future do you want for the Brazilian people if you don’t invest in health, education, housing…?” he asked, referring to the right-wing governments that preceded him.

Despite veiled criticisms, he did not mention by name the far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) nor his eldest son, presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, his main rival in the October elections.

Regarding security, one of the main concerns of the population, Lula emphasized the need to pursue faction leaders and not just any simple member.

“It is by taking away their money that we will end organized crime,” he declared.

Accompanied by his wife, First Lady Rosângela ‘Janja’ da Silva, Lula also stressed the fight against sexist violence.

“It is not possible not to be able to end this violence,” he said, before calling on men to treat their partners as “companions” and not as “servants or slaves.”

Also, as has been usual in his recent events, there was a defense of Brazilian sovereignty against pressures from foreign powers.

In that regard, he reaffirmed the importance of Brazil being able to extract and process critical minerals itself.

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