Researchers in Brazil welcome Lula’s return to power
By 
Rebecca Trager2022-11-01T14:23:00
After four years of Bolsonaro, researchers and academics across the country are optimistic that things will now improve
Scientists, researchers and academics across Brazil are celebrating the victory of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Leading up to the runoff election on 30 October, there was strong support for Lula from the country’s research community.
Lula beat Bolsonaro with 50.9% of the vote to 49.1%. The exceptionally close result and the fact that Bolsonaro has not yet conceded has led to fears that he may still contest the result.
Lula’s victory represents not just a change of government, but the country’s ‘return to normality’ and ‘the exchange of a president who denied science and destroyed education for another who sees science and education as fundamental pillars for development’, says Aldo Zarbin, a materials chemistry professor at the Federal University of Paraná and former president of the Brazilian Chemical Society. ‘It’s a change from water to wine.’