Brazil's former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made his return to politics with a virulent attack on President Jair Bolsonaro and his “imbecile” handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Don't follow any imbecile decisions by the president of the republic or the health minister: get vaccinated,” Lula told a press conference, in reference to Bolsonaro's vaccine skepticism and regular flouting of expert advice on containing Covid-19.