Wed Feb 19 06:56:27 UTC 2025: ## Lula’s Approval Ratings Plummet Amidst Economic Struggles and Right-Wing Surge

**Brasília, Brazil –** Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is facing a significant crisis, with his approval rating plummeting to a historic low of 24%, according to a recent Datafolha poll. This marks the lowest point in his three terms as president. The decline comes despite a recent flurry of public appearances and interviews aimed at boosting his popularity.

Lula’s promises of economic prosperity, including the return of affordable picanha steak, have been undermined by persistent inflation. Food prices surged 7.25% year-on-year in January, far from his “year of the harvest” pledge. His suggestion that consumers boycott expensive goods was met with widespread derision.

The economic woes are compounded by the central bank’s efforts to combat inflation by raising interest rates to 13.25%, further impacting economic growth. The Brazilian real also hit record lows against the dollar in December, although it has since partially recovered.

Lula’s administration is also struggling to counter the influence of a resurgent right-wing, both domestically and internationally. The rise of Donald Trump in the US and the continuing political strength of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, despite being barred from office, are significant challenges. A right-wing majority in Congress is considering measures such as criminalizing drug possession and potentially granting amnesty to Bolsonaro supporters involved in the 2023 riots.

The government’s struggles extend to the digital realm, where the opposition effectively uses disinformation campaigns to undermine government initiatives. A recent proposal to monitor transactions on the PIX instant payment system was misinterpreted as a tax on the poor, resulting in a massive backlash and the government’s subsequent retraction.

In an attempt to regain control of the narrative, Lula has appointed a new communications chief and increased his media engagements. However, analysts point to a growing sense of fatigue among the public, exacerbated by Lula’s recent health issues, including emergency brain surgery in December. While Lula has not ruled out a reelection bid in 2026, his focus currently lies elsewhere.

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