Peter Hakim, member of the Advisor board and president emeritus of the Inter-American Dialogue: “Brazilian democracy was severely strained by the past four years of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency. But the nation’s political norms and institutions, although badly battered, have survived and demonstrated an encouraging degree of resilience. It is too early, however, to predict the longer-term health of Brazil’s politics. Yes, the first six months of Lula’s leadership have been largely constructive, but recall that he was elected by a narrow margin of two percentage points. Bolsonaro would have surely defeated any other candidate, and current polls reveal he retains the enthusiastic support of upwards of one-third of the electorate. On the brighter side, his recent eight-year ban from elected office sharply reduces Bolsonaro’s political muscle and his capacity to mobilize his supporters. After a decade of sluggish growth and rising inequality in Brazil, a strong economic performance would probably be the best remedy for restoring confidence in government and reducing the poisonous levels of polarization and bitterness that still threaten…”