Politics

So, will Brazil’s Lula be able to run for president or not?

lula presidential race
Former President Lula. Photo: R. Stuckert

On Monday, the Federal Appellate Court that convicted former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to 12 years and one month in jail for corruption and money laundering rejected the politician’s motion to dismiss the case. Lula has maintained that he was convicted based solely on hearsay, and that the evidence presented by the prosecution couldn’t prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Now, all appeals at the appellate court have been exhausted. Lula now has only one option left, which involves going to higher courts in an attempt to change his apparent destiny: prison and political downfall. Brazil’s most popular – and polarizing – public figure is leading all polls for president. Yet, Lula will probably not be on the ballot come October.

In 2010, Lula himself signed the Clean Record Law, which forbids candidates with multiple convictions from running for office. Barring an anomaly, the Federal Electoral Justice will deny Lula his register as...

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