Speaking during celebrations marking his 81st birthday at Alvorada, Lula questioned why Bolsonaro had travelled abroad while facing judicial investigations.

"This act of leaving Brazil is, quite simply, shameful. I handed in my passport when I was asked to. He [Flavio Bolsonaro] should have handed in his, since the Federal Police suspected he was going to leave Brazil and, moreover, there is an open investigation against him," the president charged.

The remarks came two days after Lula secured re-election against the Liberal Party candidate.

Images released on Lula's YouTube channel on Tuesday showed him celebrating with his wife, Janja Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and dozens of supporters.

Lula also criticised Bolsonaro's relationship with the United States, whose government had backed his rival during the presidential campaign.

"Unfortunately, the Bolsonaro family is like that. Brazil is their second homeland; their true homeland is to be a bootlicker of the US, as they are wont to do," he asserted.

Drawing comparisons with his own political career, Lula recalled remaining in Brazil despite losing previous presidential elections.

He cited his defeat to Fernando Collor in 1989 and two subsequent losses to Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

"Here I am, being re-elected for a new term thanks to you. That is why I want to tell you: he who owes nothing, fears nothing. He who owes nothing, fears nothing. If a citizen leaves his country in secret, it is because he owes something," he maintained.

Bolsonaro's departure came after his election defeat and amid legal proceedings involving allegations that include money laundering.

Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports and imposed restrictions on his ability to leave Brazil.

During the birthday gathering, Lula also thanked Brazilians for supporting his re-election, while accusing digital platforms, the US government and parts of the financial sector of opposing his continued presidency.

"I feel a deep gratitude towards the Brazilian people, for the lesson that this people gave to the powerful who did not want us to continue governing this country," he said.

The president also joked about his age and how long he intended to live.

"I want to tell you to prepare physically, because I am going to live to 120!" he added.

"It is against the sell-out of Flavio Bolsonaro and his allies, who are simply trying to sell Brazil in exchange for a green card, for support in Donald Trump's elections ," student Luna said.

Demonstrators also criticised Tarcisio's management of education in Sao Paulo state. A survey by the APEOESP trade union association published in April recorded broad opposition within the education community to the state government's policies.

"We are on the streets in defence of our education , in defence of our country," demonstrator Pacu Haddad told Viory.

The protest comes as Brazil's political contest intensifies ahead of the 2026 presidential election, in which Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is among the main contenders.

Speaking during an internet podcast, Lula said he had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend meetings with ambassadors until after the election.

"I told Minister Mauro: 'From now until the election, I will not receive any other ambassadors. Only after the election will I receive an ambassador from any country in the world ,'" the president said.

Lula also pointed to the absence of a US ambassador in Brazil, noting that the position has remained vacant for about a year and a half. He said tensions grew after Brazil refused entry to US officials whom the government said wanted to question the country's electoral system.

"The United States have been in power for a year and a half and hasn't sent anyone here. Then they try to send someone and think we are obliged to set the date they want. That's not right. No one should think they can interfere from the outside to influence our elections," Lula emphasised.

During the interview, Lula also said his political career is driven by purpose rather than elections.

"I am not in politics to contest an election. The election is simply the result of a goal I set for my life. For me, politics is a cause," the president said.

Brazil will hold the first round of its presidential election on October 4, 2026. Lula is seeking re-election, with recent polls identifying Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, as his main challenger.