Lula's Digital Pivot: Brazil's Leftist Icon Battles Bolsonaro's Son

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, nearing age 81, has embraced social media, dubbing himself the "king of selfies," after trailing conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro in the first round of the presidential election. This shift marks a strategic effort to counter the right's strong online presence. Lula, a leftist icon who governed for nearly 12 years, is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro. Despite health issues and a 580-day imprisonment on a corruption conviction later annulled, he insists he feels more energetic than ever. Born into poverty in 1945, Lula rose from factory worker to union leader and president in 2003. His legacy includes social programs like Bolsa Família, though critics say he failed to eradicate extreme poverty. His third term has been seen as a "remake" with few new ideas, and he faces accusations of prioritizing power over the future.