Election in Brazil: Lula saves democracy

Lula does it again: The almost 81-year-old left-wing head of state of Brazil secured his fourth term in office with his surprising victory over the ultra-right autocrat and militia friend Flávio Bolsonaro, once again saving democracy in the largest South American country.

But Lula's victory goes far beyond Brazil's borders. He maintains the country as a bulwark against the US-backed shift to the right in Latin America. He can be an inspiration for the midterm elections in the USA at the beginning of November. He has shown that the aging PT workers' party - or at least its themes - can attract masses of young people to the streets.

And it is proof of what simultaneous digital and analogue mass mobilization can achieve: more than ten million more votes in just three weeks and the lowest abstention rate in 20 years. The mobilization has defeated not only the political opponent, but also the tactics of fake news, the possible interference of Big Tech companies and the tendentious reporting in print and TV.

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During the candidates' TV appearances, the difference between rehearsed marketing performance and authentic enthusiasm for their own country was obvious. And at the demonstrations for the preservation of democracy in the run-up to the election, the power that arises when hundreds of thousands fight for the same cause was clearly felt. The fact that an election campaign can still be won in this way in the century of individualization gives hope.

Lula won't have it easy. He will govern with a Congress that is two-thirds dominated by the right and can easily overturn his plans. And he has announced so many social programs that he is coming under economic pressure.

On the other hand, the incumbent has had plenty of opportunity to learn in recent weeks. After the success of his WhatsApp fighting force, he no longer rejects digital communication. The old-school communicator has even had his own cell phone for less than a week. In the future, he says, he wants to listen more to young people and involve the population more in decisions. Not the worst conditions for change.