Lula Wins the Brazilian Election! (Vocabulary from the News)

Tom Wilkinson

Host and founder of Thinking in English, Tom is committed to providing quality and interesting content to all English learners. Previously a research student at a top Japanese university and with a background in English teaching, political research, and Asian languages, Tom is now working fulltime on bettering Thinking in English!

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Lula has won the Brazilian elections. The former president defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro after reaching 50.9% of votes.

During his first period as president, Lula was incredibly popular thanks to his policies which lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty.

However, after spending time in jail for corruption, his victory is controversial. Backers of his opponent, Bolsonaro, accuse him of being a criminal and a “thief.”

Here is some useful vocabulary to help you understand Lula’s victory!

Vocabulary

Incumbent

Incumbent – /ɪnˈkʌmb(ə)nt/ – (of an official or regime) currently holding office

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defeated the incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in the Brazilian presidential election

Bitter

Bitter – /ˈbɪtə/ – (of a conflict, argument, or opponent) full of anger and acrimony

After a bitter campaign, Lula won 50.9% of Brazilian votes

Stunning

Stunning – /ˈstʌnɪŋ/ – shocking or very impressive

Lula’s victory is a stunning comeback for the former president who was in prison for corruption only a few years ago

To annul

To annul – /əˈnʌl/ – to officially announce that something such as a law, agreement, or marriage no longer exists

After spending 580 days in jail, Lula’s convictions were annulled

Poverty

Poverty – /ˈpɒvəti/ – the state of being extremely poor

Lula was incredibly popular during his first period as president as he helping lift millions of people out of poverty

Backer

Backer /ˈbakə/ – a person, institution, or country that supports someone or something

The result is likely to anger Bolsonaro’s millions of backers, who argue Lula is corrupt and “a thief”

Opposition

Opposition – /ɒpəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/ – resistance or dissent, expressed in action or argument

However, Bolsonaro’s allies won a majority in the Congress, meaning Lula will face strong opposition to his policies

Unity

Unity /ˈjuːnɪti/ – the state of being united or joined as a whole

Lula’s tactic of creating a “unity” campaign involving politicians from different political parties seems to have been successful

Who do you think of Lula?

Try using this vocabulary to make some sentences in the comments!

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