Technical degree. Former metalworkers' union leader. 1975, elected President, Metal Workers Trade Union; 1983, Co-Founder, Trade Union CUT (Central Unica dos Trabalhadores); one of the founders, Workers Party; 1992, Counsellor, Instituto Cidadania (NGO dedicated to proposing national public policies); 1989, 1994 and 1998, presidential candidate; 2003-10, President of Brazil; candidate of the alliance PT, PL, PCdoB, PCB and PMN.