Lula stages mass rally ahead of Brazil’s presidential run-off

Supporters of Brazilian President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party (PT) take part in a rally in downtown Manaus, in the state of Amazonas, northern Brazil, on October 11, 2026, ahead of the presidential election. — APF pic

First Published: Monday, 12 Oct 2026 10:48 AM MYT

SAO PAULO, Oct 12 — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led a massive rally yesterday to call for more days off for workers ahead of an election runoff against his right-wing opponent Flavio Bolsonaro.

A sea of people massed along Sao Paulo’s Paulista Avenue, which was awash in red, the colour of Lula’s Workers’ Party.

The leftist leader, vying for a fourth term in office, is trying to regain ground on Bolsonaro who was the surprise winner of the first-round vote on October 4.

Polls show the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro is favoured to win the October 25 runoff.

While Bolsonaro has proposed a plan to cut public spending, inspired by Argentina’s Javier Milei, Lula is looking to make improved working conditions a key plank of his campaign.

The Senate is due to vote Wednesday on legislation, approved by the lower house in May, to increase weekly paid days off from one to two, and reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours.

Bolsonaro “has to say whether he is in favor of workers resting more or continuing to work longer hours,” Lula told reporters.

Bolsonaro has labelled the proposal as “opportunistic.” — AFP