Lula Amplifies Street Campaigns in São Paulo and Leverages Political Memory with Veteran Artists Ahead of 2026 Elections

In the critical final stretch before Brazil's first-round presidential election on October 4, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has intensified his street-level campaign efforts in São Paulo, while also employing a strategy centered on political memory through cultural events featuring veteran artists.

On September 26, Lula engaged directly with São Miguel Paulista voters, accompanied by First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, prioritizing close interaction with supporters to convert declared support into actual votes. This approach specifically targets lower-income and elderly voters, historically more prone to abstention. Senate government leader Teresa Leitão noted the campaign's growing momentum. Lula utilized this platform to criticize opponent Flávio Bolsonaro, linking him to ongoing financial investigations, and underscored his administration's achievements compared to Bolsonaro's tenure. Recent polls indicate a tight race, with Lula at 40% and Bolsonaro at 36% in first-round preferences.

Earlier, on September 23 in Rio de Janeiro, Lula highlighted his political history at a cultural event at Fundição Progresso featuring over 58 artists, with 43% aged 60 or above, including icons like Chico Buarque and Paulinho da Viola. This gathering aimed to reinforce the support of the "geração Lula," emphasizing resistance to the military dictatorship and criticizing Bolsonaro’s government for censorship and cultural dismantling. While this engagement strengthened ties with older supporters, Vice-President of the PT Washington Quaquá questioned its reach in attracting new voters, given the concentrated presence of already aligned artists.

Together, these dual strategies—grassroots mobilization in key regions and invoking political memory through veteran cultural figures—reflect Lula’s multifaceted approach in the final days before voters head to the polls.