Economy, a Divided Congress and Trump: After Election Win, the Challenges Ahead for Brazil's Lula
Janones built a WhatsApp network that grew from 60,000 to nearly 11 million followers and helped Lula reverse a first-round deficit, supporters said.
- On Oct. 25, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Lula won reelection to a fourth term, defeating Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo and securing victory in 13 of Brazil's 26 state capitals, up from 11 in the previous election.
- Lula's geographic base is shifting toward Brazil's 557 largest municipalities, where growth is concentrated; among the 200 largest cities, he expanded his lead from 61 to 68, continuing the Workers Party's long recovery of urban support.
- Across the 27 state capitals, Lula's vote share rose to 52.8% this year, while his support in Porto Alegre increased from 53.50% to 55.84%, demonstrating urban voting strength.
- Nationwide, Lula won in 2,875 municipalities, down from 3,123, representing a loss of 248 cities entirely outside core regions; his vote share in the 557 smallest municipalities fell from 50.6% to 46.7%.
- The Workers Party urban vote reached its lowest point in 2018 when Fernando Haddad ran against Bolsonaro, receiving 38.1% in the 200 largest cities; the party has since recovered from 46.8% in 2014 to this year's gains.
137 Articles
137 Articles
When Flávio Bolsonaro won the first round of elections on October 4, it was assumed that three weeks later the same scenario would be repeated. It is that the victory of the right wing in most of the positions that were submitted to the contest showed that there was little room for doubt. It should also be noted that, in addition to the overwhelming victory, there was a ferocious campaign orchestrated by social networks, religious figures and fo…
André Janones, who rose to prominence with his digital campaign that reached over 10 million followers during Brazilian President Lula da Silva's election victory, has become central to the political agenda. While discussions revolve around the possibility of the congressman, whom Lula honored by calling him "my general," taking a position in the new government, his past corruption investigations and accusations from his former partner are also …
While Janones turned the elections into WhatsApp for Lula, Apple launched an iPhone of over 2,000 euros that splits.
Who is André Janones? The man behind Lula’s Army WhatsApp channel and how he turned it into an election tool in Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection after finishing second in the first round. Analysts credited the turnaround to lawmaker André Janones’s intensive digital campaign, which used WhatsApp, viral videos, hashtags, and livestreams to boost Lula’s online reach.
Who is Andre Janones, Lula's 'general' behind Brazil's 11-million-strong WhatsApp army
The Brazilian congressman’s mobilisation strategy drew on viral videos, hashtags and coordinated online tasks, while analysts say changes in Lula’s messaging and grassroots campaigning also contributed to the result.
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