Brazil's president has framed his re-election campaign around a theme that transcends typical domestic politics: national sovereignty. At a Sao Paulo convention centre filled with red flags and chants, 80-year-old Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva formally launched his bid for a fourth term, promising that if he wins October's election, it will be his last. The speech, delivered to Workers' Party supporters, focused less on his domestic record and more on Brazil's position in a turbulent world. Lula called for increased defence spending and vowed to shield the country's rare earths and critical minerals from foreign control. "I want to be prepared, so that no one invades this country," he declared, adding that China, the United States, and France would not gain access to Brazil's mineral wealth without respecting its sovereignty. This message lands amid escalating friction between Brasilia and Washington. The United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian goods in July, citing unfair trade practices—an accusation Brazil's government rejects. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has maintained close ties with the family of Lula's main challenger, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Read also: Sudan Drone Strike on Darfur Court Kills 35, Group Says Main Developments Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, emerged as the right's leading candidate after his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, was convicted of plotting to overturn the 2022 election result and prevent Lula from taking office. Lula has seized on the Bolsonaro family's relationship with Trump to portray the election as a stark choice between national independence and submission to foreign interests. Lula has gone as far as calling Flavio Bolsonaro a "traitor to the nation," a charge the senator denies. At the convention, Lula reinforced his stance: "In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it does not belong." The political landscape remains deeply divided. A recent Datafolha survey gives Lula a narrow lead in a potential second-round contest against Flavio Bolsonaro, 48 percent to 43 percent. That margin reflects a country split between supporters of the left-wing president and the Bolsonaro movement. Lula can point to economic growth, high employment, and social programmes that supporters credit with improving lives. Social worker Cristiane Rosa Julho told AFP that Lula's policies enabled her family to own a home for the first time in generations. Background Lula's return to power in 2023 marked a dramatic comeback after he served two previous terms from 2003 to 2010. This campaign marks his seventh run for the presidency, a testament to his enduring political presence. His age has become a talking point, but Lula dismissed concerns, telling supporters that regular walking and strength training have left him "in great shape"—fitter, he claims, than when he first won in 2002. The Bolsonaro family's legal troubles have reshaped the right-wing opposition. Jair Bolsonaro's conviction for plotting against the 2022 election result sidelined him, paving the way for his eldest son to lead the conservative movement. Flavio Bolsonaro now faces his own legal scrutiny over alleged efforts to secure funding from a banker accused of financial fraud. Corruption investigations have touched both camps. While Flavio Bolsonaro faces questions over the banker connection, one of Lula's sons is under investigation for suspected corruption and influence peddling. These parallel probes underscore the persistent shadow of scandal over Brazilian politics. Why It Matters Leonardo Paz, a political science professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, told AFP that the sovereignty argument arrives at a "perfect time" for Lula. It allows him to identify an external enemy and blame it for some of Brazil's problems, a strategy that could resonate with voters worried about foreign influence. The stakes extend beyond Brazil's borders. With its vast reserves of rare earths and critical minerals, Brazil holds strategic importance in the global race for resources crucial to technology and defence industries. Lula's promise to protect these assets from foreign control signals a more assertive stance in international relations. Domestically, rising living costs and concerns over the public deficit remain significant vulnerabilities for the government. Crime is also expected to dominate the campaign, particularly in communities where organised criminal groups exercise considerable control. These issues could undercut Lula's message of sovereignty and stability. What's Next The October election will test whether Lula's sovereignty-focused pitch can overcome voter dissatisfaction on economic and security fronts. His campaign will likely emphasise experience as a central argument, while opponents aim to make the election a referendum on the cost of living and political controversies. For Lula, the path to victory runs through a deeply polarised electorate. The narrow polling margin sugge