Guilherme Boulos

Guilherme Castro Boulos (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡiˈʎɛɾmi ˈkastɾu ˈbowlus]; born 19 June 1982) is a Brazilian politician, activist and writer. He is a member of the National Coordination of Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST). Boulos joined the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) in 2018, and was PSOL's candidate for the presidency of Brazil in the 2018 general election.

In 2020 Boulos was the PSOL nominee for mayor of São Paulo in the 2020 election, qualifying for a second round against PSDB candidate Bruno Covas. Covas defeated Boulos in the run-off. In the 2022 elections, Boulos was elected to the Chamber of Deputies from São Paulo, having received the most votes for federal deputy in the state.

As a member of the Homeless Workers' Movement, Boulos became nationally known in 2003, when he participated in an occupation of Volkswagen's land in São Bernardo do Campo. Closely associated with former President Lula da Silva he has been described as an "heir" to Lula, with his physical likeliness to Lula during his youth being widely noted. He was selected by Time for their Time 100 Next list of emerging leaders worldwide for 2021.

Early life and career

Guilherme Boulos is the son of Marcos Boulos, a professor of medicine at the University of São Paulo. He is of Lebanese Christian descent, with “Boulos” meaning “Paul” in Arabic. He graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2006 and received a master's degree in mental health in 2017, both from the University of São Paulo. In his youth he engaged in the Union of Communist Youth. He also joined the Homeless Workers' Movement in 2002.