Can Lula da Silva be president of Brazil again?

Lula da Silva is one of the most popular figures in Brazil. But his corruption conviction in 2017 divided public opinion.

His supporters said the leftist leader was a victim of political persecution while Lula dismissed it as a ploy to sideline him from the 2018 presidential election – which was won by the far-right Jair Bolsonaro.

Now, Brazil’s top court has ruled the judge in Lula’s corruption case was “biased”, and evidence gathered in the investigation will not be used in any future trial.

The ruling follows another Supreme Court decision to throw out Lula’s conviction earlier this month. That has opened the way for the former leader to pursue his political ambitions.

Many say he is in a strong position now to challenge President Bolsonaro in 2022.

But can Lula win over Brazilians once again?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Gustavo Ribeiro – journalist and editor-in-chief of The Brazilian Report

Paulo Sotero – distinguished fellow at the Wilson Center’s Brazil Institute

Nizar Messari – vice president for academic affairs at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane