The British magazine didn't hold back in its criticism: it labeled Lula "incoherent abroad," "unpopular at home," and openly advocated that he not run for reelection.

The text states that Brazil has become "geopolitically inert" and draws a cruel parallel with the end of Joe Biden's presidency!

The Parallel with Biden

The magazine was surgical in its comparison. It pointed out that Lula is only one year younger than Joe Biden was when his campaign collapsed in the US.

The warning: insisting on 2026 could end "disastrously." According to the publication, Lula should follow the Democratic example and pass the baton.

"Hostile to the West"

According to the publication, Lula's automatic alignment with dictatorships makes Brazil seem "increasingly hostile to the West."

The magazine cites Itamaraty's condemnation of the attacks against Iran (while democracies supported or remained silent) as proof of this ideological "sympathy" that isolates the country.

Economy: "Mediocre Policy"

Even while acknowledging GDP growth, the magazine doesn't applaud it. It classifies the administration as a result of "mediocre economic policies."

The diagnosis is that growth is based on income transfers and increased tax revenue that is "unfriendly to business," and not on real productivity.

The Trump Factor: Total Isolation

An alarming fact: Brazil is the "largest economy whose leader has not shaken hands with the President of the United States."

While Lula courts Xi Jinping and Putin, the bridge with Washington is broken.

The magazine's final advice was a slap in the face: "Lula should stop pretending he matters [in wars] and focus on more immediate issues."

Conclusion: The message got through

Right or wrong, The Economist is still followed globally by many important people.

When the magazine says that Brazil is hostile to the West and suggests that the president step down due to cognitive/political risks, the country's image abroad suffers a new blow.