While Lula was still celebrated as a hero of democracy, environmentalist and presumably reliable foreign politician in January 2023, his first acts in office reveal that pragmatism and ideology dominate his government and that the old evil of corruption is also an issue again. Thus, allegations of corruption overshadow ministers of his cabinet, but due to the guarantee of governability, for which Lula depends on a broad alliance with parties of the centre, no consequences are drawn. An asbestos-laden aircraft carrier was sunk in a controlled manner by the navy off the Brazilian coast despite environmental concerns. Also with regard to the condemnation of Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and the support of ammunition deliveries, NATO does not find an ally in Brazil, despite pleas from US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but got a rebuff. The Lula government is burdened with high expectations, which the president has so far only met to a limited extent in view of the prevailing conflicts of interest and his party orientation. Disappointment is already spreading, especially among Western allies, but also among his supporters.

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