On Flow, Gleisi Hoffmann criticizes high interest rates and says Lula is “indispensable” in 2026

Do Esmael's Blog

The Minister of Institutional Relations, Gleisi Hoffmann (PT-PR), gave a frank and in-depth interview to flow podcastIn her interview, she dissected the inner workings of Lula's government, attacked neoliberalism, criticized economic power, and defended the president's central role in the upcoming elections. With her characteristic direct style, Gleisi called the current interest rate "absurd," denounced the concentration of power in the financial system, and argued that only... Squid He has the political and popular stature to keep Brazil on a path of development and democratic stability.

The challenge of negotiating with a conservative Congress.

At the beginning of the conversation, Gleisi explained that the Secretariat of Institutional Relations functions as "the oil for the government's gears," responsible for ensuring that projects and public policies move forward. "We have 130 more aligned deputies, and the rest are center-right, right, and far-right. So you can't impose, you have to negotiate," she said.

She summarized the balance of power with a phrase that reflects the daily life at the Presidential Palace: “They can do a lot, but they can’t do everything. We can do a lot, but we can’t do everything.” According to the minister, each vote is a political battle, and the government needs to “use intelligence and patience to govern with social responsibility, even in a Congress that tries to paralyze the country.”

The minister also criticized the decision of the Chamber of Deputies' Ethics Committee that acquitted... Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) of punishment, even after statements and actions that, according to her, "threaten against Brazil itself." For Gleisi, the institutional leniency towards extremism "shows how much we still need to rebuild Brazilian politics."

Developmentalism and confronting rent-seeking

The high point of the interview came when Gleisi addressed the sensitive issue of the economic model. "The PT has never been and never will be neoliberal. Our commitment is to the people and to development," she stated.

She criticized the Central Bank's monetary policy and the rate. Selicwhich she considers one of the highest in the world. "No country comes close to this. The rate stifles the productive sector, discourages investment, and increases the cost of debt. It's a brutality against Brazil," she stated.

The minister noted that the government has been working to correct historical distortions with measures of tax justiceLike Income tax exemption for those earning up to R$ 5. and Taxation of the super-rich and exclusive funds."The poor pay taxes when they consume, the rich need to pay when they accumulate," he summarized, reinforcing the Workers' Party's thesis of income redistribution as the basis for sustainable growth.

Lula the strategist and the construction of 2026

Speaking about the elections, Gleisi was categorical: “For this election, it has to be President Lula. He is the greatest political strategist in Brazil.” She highlighted the Workers' Party leader's ability to build alliances, which allowed him to unite divergent forces in 2022. Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) to the traditional left, to defeat Bolsonarism and restore democracy.

The minister recounted behind-the-scenes events from Lula's second term and stated that he remains "tireless, with the same political instinct and the same commitment to the people." Compared by her to a "political animal," Lula, according to Gleisi, "senses the mood on the streets before anyone else."

“While we are still thinking about politics, he has already sensed it. He already knows what's coming,” she commented. The minister reinforced that the president “is thinking about 2026 with the mindset of someone who wants to consolidate a national project, not a cycle of personal power.”

Social programs and deliveries that change lives.

Gleisi listed recent actions by the federal government that, according to her, demonstrate the president's social focus: a exemption on electricity bill for families registered in the CadÚnico (Single Registry for Social Programs), the expansion of Popular Pharmacy with 40 free items, including adult diapers and sanitary pads, and the credit of Between R$5 and R$30 for renovations. in the "My House, My Life" program.

"These are concrete measures that improve the lives of those who need it most, not newspaper headlines to please the market," said the minister.

She emphasized that the government's challenge is "to deliver without depending on the goodwill of the elite," and that the State needs to be present "where private profit doesn't reach."

Democracy and confronting extremism

When commenting on the role of the Supreme Federal Court, Gleisi recalled that the PT voted against the appointment of Alexandre de Moraes in 2017, but he made a point of acknowledging his firm stance in defending institutions. "He was essential in protecting democracy on January 8th," he stated, referring to the coup attempts of 2023.

According to the minister, the punishment of those involved needs to have an educational character. "We cannot accept people who try to destroy the country because they lost an election. Democracy is for everyone, including those who don't like it."

Gleisi advocates overcoming neoliberalism.

Gleisi Hoffmann's interview on Flow laid bare the heart of Lula's political agenda: the fight against rent-seeking, the defense of the welfare state, and the commitment to democracy. More than a conversation, it was a diagnosis of the real Brazil: divided, unequal, and still under reconstruction.

Using accessible language and ideological firmness, Gleisi reaffirmed that the country's future depends on Lula's leadership and overcoming neoliberalism as a model of power.