On the eve of his birthday, the president uses a speech to students to display “vigor” and reinforce the image that he is healthy; should seek re-election in 2026
The president (PT) stated this Saturday (October 18, 2025) that he has the energy and willingness to continue governing Brazil. The speech, given in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) in front of students and teachers from popular courses, had a tone of personal celebration and also of political affirmation, on the eve of the PT member turning 80, on October 27th.
“You look at me and think: ‘You’re talking stupid there’. But do you know what my advantage is over you? It’s that you don’t know what an 80-year-old man does, and I know what a 15-year-old boy does, because I was that age.”he said. The statement, during a preparatory class for the Enem (National High School Exam), was received with applause.
Lula is the and has publicly reinforced the idea that he retains “vigor and lucidity” to remain in charge of the country. He is expected to run for re-election in 2026.
During the event, Lula recalled his personal trajectory, from his poor childhood in Pernambuco to his political protagonism in São Bernardo, where he began as a trade unionist.
“I went to eat a piece of bread for the first time when I was 7 years old. I don’t have a university degree, I studied primary school and as a lathe worker. My mother raised eight children alone, and her little girl became president of the Republic”, he stated.
The president said he wanted to inspire young people to dream and fight for opportunities: “At your age, I had many dreams and few chances. But I survived and got here. Never doubt your ability to win”.
Lula also praised the ministers (Finance) and (Education), describing them as symbols of the continuity of his political project. The 2 are considered as possible successors to Lula, if the PT member abandons the presidential race next year. Both members of the PT, Haddad was mayor of São Paulo. Camilo was governor of Ceará.
“Haddad was the best Minister of Education that Brazil had. And Camilo has the challenge of being better than Haddad. It’s the Brazilian people who win”stated Lula.
The president ended his speech defending visibility for workers and the poor, as opposed to the political elite who, according to him, “still trying to make the Brazilian people invisible”.
Watch the event:
Here are the authorities who participated with Lula and Haddad:
- Minister of Education;
- Minister of Labor;
- Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development;
- (Podemos), mayor of São Bernardo do Campo;
- Jéssica Cormick (Avante), vice-mayor of São Bernardo;
- president of the PT and former mayor of Araraquara (SP);
- Moises Selergis, president of the Metalworkers Union.
