Picture of the Day: President Lee Meets with Brazil’s President

How is Your Lee Like Your Lula

Both come from left-of-center political parties.

Both campaigned on reducing inequality and expanding social welfare.

Both emphasize a larger role for government in the economy.

Both have strong support from labor unions and progressive activists.

Both present themselves as champions of ordinary working people.

Both have highly polarized public images, with passionate supporters and critics.

Both have faced extensive legal investigations during their political careers.

Both have argued that legal actions against them were politically motivated.

Both have won major elections despite significant legal controversies.

Both inherited politically divided countries.

Both have faced accusations from opponents of being too accommodating toward China or other authoritarian governments.

Both have been criticized by conservatives for expanding government spending.

Both have been accused by opponents of using state institutions against political rivals.

Both have been criticized over judicial independence and prosecutorial actions.

Both have supporters who argue they are restoring democracy, while opponents argue they are weakening democratic norms.

Both have had predecessors or major political opponents who became subjects of criminal investigations.

It is unclear why they are meeting in public when they should be making love.