World

Lula Wins Fourth Term After First‑Round Loss, WhatsApp Mobilization Key

By Swati Gandhi

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured his fourth term by winning 51.79% of the vote in the runoff against right‑wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula became the first president since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1985 to win after losing the first round. Analysts attribute his comeback to a WhatsApp channel called “Lula’s Army,” created to mobilise supporters. The channel, led by Congressman André Janones, grew to about 10.8 million followers and provided pre‑written messages, campaign videos, and hashtags for supporters to share. It also directed followers to amplify specific online tasks. The campaign’s efforts helped bring back voters who had skipped the first vote, contributing to a rise of almost three million votes in the runoff and a record low absentee rate. Lula’s campaign focused on economic concerns such as welfare payments, a shorter working week without a pay cut, and debt relief, while also adopting a tougher stance on crime. The campaign warned that Bolsonaro’s proposed spending cuts could threaten public services and welfare benefits. The shift in digital mobilisation was notable because conservatives had previously dominated online political space through WhatsApp and Telegram. The emergence of “Lula’s Army” convinced undecided voters that the left could compete digitally. The campaign’s success was part of a broader strategy that included extending voting hours, reaching out to voters who had not voted in the first round, and framing the election as a defense of Brazil’s democracy against the Bolsonaro family. The result marked a significant reversal of the rightward trend seen in other Latin American countries and underscored the importance of social media in contemporary Brazilian politics.