Lula wins Brazilian election

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, won Brazil's presidential election on Sunday, defeating Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, in an unexpected outcome. This marks the first time since 1989, when Brazil resumed direct elections, that a candidate who lost the first round has gone on to win the presidency.

WhatsApp group grows rapidly

Between the first and second rounds of the election, a WhatsApp group named "Lula's army" expanded dramatically, increasing its membership from 50,000 to nearly 11 million people. This rapid growth was seen as a significant factor in mobilizing support for Lula during the final phase of the campaign.

Strategy borrowed from Bolsonaro's team

The strategy used to grow the WhatsApp group was inspired by methods previously employed by the Bolsonaro campaign. Experts interviewed by France 24 noted that this approach played a crucial role in Lula's eventual victory, highlighting the effectiveness of digital organizing in modern elections.

Unprecedented political shift

Lula's win represents a major political shift in Brazil, as he previously served as president from 2003 to 2010 before being imprisoned on corruption charges. His return to power signals a potential realignment in Brazilian politics, with many viewing his victory as a rejection of the more conservative policies associated with the Bolsonaro family.