Explaining Brazil #298: Global ambitions, domestic neglect?

Since returning to the Brazilian presidency, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has shown something of a preference for foreign policy, potentially to the detriment of domestic politics. He’s traveled the world, appearing at almost every international summit that will have him, with the articulated goal of “repositioning” Brazil on the world stage.

But there’s an argument that he should be paying more attention closer to home.

Last week, as Lula rubbed shoulders with fellow world leaders at the G7 Summit in Italy, a dispute bubbled away at home over a controversial abortion bill, and the president sought to stay out of the discussion.

Will that cost him dearly over time? That’s what we’ll be exploring today..

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This episode used music from Uppbeat and Envato. License codes: Thinking Mallets by tunestogo (PASGEKJFN5), Aspire by Pryces (B6TUQLVYOWVKY02S), Intense Thought by SCOREWIZARDS (LCGTS98MJB), Lo Fi by cleanmindsounds (ZGB42XHEJP), and Lula’s speech in the 78th UN General Assembly – Agência Brasil/YouTube

Background reading:

• Read André Pagliarini’s latest Brazilian Report column on Lula’s international and domestic attitudes, and how the disparity could cause him problems in the long run.
• In our Brazil Daily newsletter, we explain the controversy surrounding abortion laws in the country, and Beatriz Rey shows how House Speaker Arthur Lira disregarded congressional rules once again.
• After winning the 2022 election, Lula first announced his “Brazil is Back” slogan at COP27, trying to establish a clear difference between his government and the past far-right administration of Jair Bolsonaro.
• To Be Read, ep. 02: The Brazilians evangelizing the Middle East – Watch Isabela Cruz’s video interview with international reporter Adriana Carranca

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