Lula's WhatsApp army mobilizes 9 million in Brazil runoff

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's campaign has launched a massive WhatsApp channel, "Exército do Lula," led by Congressman André Janones, to mobilize supporters in the presidential runoff, countering the right's online advantage. The channel has amassed nearly 9 million followers. The initiative directs supporters to perform "missions" like interacting with posts, boosting Google searches, and organizing protests. Analysts credit this unprecedented left-wing digital mobilization with improving Lula's campaign momentum, though its direct impact on polls remains debated. The Bolsonaro campaign has filed a legal complaint alleging coordinated behavior. The strategy marks a shift from past mass-messaging schemes, relying on voluntary supporter action. While experts see it as a significant organizational advance for the left, they caution its long-term effectiveness and influence on undecided voters are uncertain.