Boulos says he came to talk to the people – not to Faria Lima

247 - The appointment of the federal deputy Guilherme Boulos (PSOL-SP) , the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, announced on Monday (20), brought back into focus the debate about the country's political future and the succession of the president Squid. In interview with the columnist Monica Bergamo, FSPThe new minister avoided speculation about the so-called "post-Lula" era, stating that his priority is to strengthen the government and contribute to the president's reelection in 2026.

"I learned from my grandmother, at Sunday lunches, that..." each day with its own agony“My concern now is to strengthen President Lula’s government, in the mission he gave me, and to contribute to his re-election in 2026. It will be a great battle,” said Boulos, when questioned about his political future.

"Lula called me to engage in dialogue with the people, not with Faria Lima."

The new minister emphasized that his mission in the government will be to strengthen dialogue with social movements and grassroots supporters, in opposition to the logic of the financial market. "The president called me to be minister to dialogue with the people, and definitely not with Faria Lima," he stated.

Boulos emphasized that he intends to travel the country to "hear the demands of the Brazilian people" and confront "the base politics of the far right," reinforcing that the Lula government "firmly stood in defense of the people against the billionaires and in defense of Brazil against foreign attack [from the US]."

Defending the Lula government and social progress.

The minister praised the government's economic and social policies, stating that the country is experiencing a period of renewed growth and increased value placed on labor. "We have the lowest accumulated inflation rate in the historical series, the lowest unemployment rate, and growth above 3%. There has been a real increase in the minimum wage and a resumption of public investments with the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) and the Minha Casa Minha Vida (My House, My Life) program," he said.

According to him, the measures to eliminate income tax for 90% of the population and tax the super-rich show that Lula's government is focused on the interests of the people. "President Lula has been very firm in defending the Brazilian people and in holding billionaires accountable who don't pay taxes. This is the kind of policy I support," he added.

Relationship with PSOL and support for the government

Regarding any potential disagreements between PSOL and the government, Boulos denied that there is a rupture. "PSOL voted specifically against the fiscal framework, not against the economic policies of President Lula and [Finance] Minister Fernando Haddad. The party is part of the government's support base and will work for the president's reelection," he stated.

He stressed that his new role demands institutional commitment: “As a congressman, I expressed the positions of PSOL. As a minister, it is my duty to express the positions of President Lula's government.”

National sovereignty and confronting Donald Trump

Boulos also commented on the recent tariffs imposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump...and the suspension of visas for Brazilian officials. "Lula was firm. He became the cover story of..." New York Times "As the only president who stood up to Trump, negotiating with the necessary pragmatism, but without yielding an inch on the issue of national sovereignty," he emphasized.

According to the minister, there is a "global geopolitical reconfiguration," marked by the dispute between the US and China, and Brazil has sought to assert itself as a sovereign country. "The president reaffirmed our independence and is willing to negotiate on equal terms. That is the role of a statesman, of a truly patriotic president," he declared.

Boulos took the opportunity to criticize the stance of sectors of the far right: "It's a disgrace that Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro hasn't been impeached yet and continues to act as a traitor to the nation in Miami."

"Nothing is gained beforehand"

Despite his optimism about the direction of the government, Boulos rejects any notion of a "we've already won" attitude for 2026. "In the polarized scenario we live in, the political game is always fierce. And you don't win a game beforehand," he stated.

The minister used a football metaphor to explain his view: “I’m a Corinthians fan. Even when the team is in a really tough game, I watch until the 49th and a half minute. How many times has there been a goal at the end? Nobody in the government thinks the game is over.”

Commitment to the mandate and the mission

Regarding a possible candidacy in 2026, Boulos denied any short-term electoral plans. "Lula summoned me for a mission. Entering in October and leaving in April wouldn't allow the work to have a beginning, middle, and end. It's a matter of consistency with the role and the mission the president gave me," he said.

He emphasized that the political future should be defined by history, not by individual ambitions. "Lula became the greatest popular leader in history because he was resilient, faced injustices, and never gave up. What defines the future is not personal desires, but events and the struggle of the people."