Lula’s Social Media Campaign Helped Reshape Brazil’s Election
Reported by nytimes.com ·
A campaign grows online
The effort began as a WhatsApp channel with a few thousand followers. It expanded into a digital network of 10 million people during the election campaign. That network helped shift the contest, according to the account of Lula’s victory. Its role was in persuading Brazilians to vote against his rival.
An unusual path to victory
Lula won after placing second in the first round. No presidential candidate in Brazil had previously won the election after that outcome. His victory secured another term for the president. The result marked a rare reversal between the first and final rounds of voting.
Regional political impact
The result was a rebuke to a right-wing political movement that has been advancing across Latin America. President Trump has applauded that movement.
Key points
- Lula won another term after finishing second in Brazil’s first round.
- A WhatsApp channel grew from a few thousand followers to a digital network of 10 million.
- His victory was the first of its kind in Brazil’s presidential history.
- The result challenged a right-wing movement gaining ground across Latin America.