In an interview, Arthur Lira states that the polarization in 2026 will be between Lula and Bolsonaro, but did not reveal the PP's position.

247 - Just days before leaving the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL) gave an interview to the newspaper. The Globe in which he offered a diagnosis of the country's current political situation and observations about Lula's government.

Regarding the 2026 elections, Lira stated that the PP has not yet decided who it will support, but indicated that the race will remain polarized between Lula and Bolsonaro. "Today we have Lula and Bolsonaro as the only candidates from the left and the right, that's how we see it. Bolsonaro is as ineligible as Lula was in prison in 2018," he commented, pointing out that the decision to support someone will need to be "very carefully considered" within the party. 

According to Lira, a cabinet reshuffle will not be enough to reverse the government's declining popularity; a "bottom-up" reshuffle is necessary.

Lira stated that "the government was elected on a very strong social platform," but that it also needs fiscal responsibility. "When part of the population that voted for the government and another part that voted against it start moving in the same direction (towards dissatisfaction), it's logical that popularity decreases," he analyzed.

For him, it's no use just changing ministers without addressing structural issues, especially in the economy. "I have the impression that the government will have to fix the first floor to build the roof. It's no use just changing the roof," he said. The first floor, according to him, consists of "the economy, employment, and inflation," which directly affect the public's perception of the government.

Regarding political coordination, Lira reiterated that "it is a fact that a ministerial reform is necessary." He pointed out that the initial composition of the cabinet was made "in the heat of the Transition Amendment" and favored the Senate more than the Chamber of Deputies. "In the end, the Chamber voted more easily with the government than the Senate. There are parties that are less represented and provide more votes," he highlighted, suggesting a greater balance in the distribution of positions. 

Lira also criticized the lack of cohesion within the government: "There is a disconnect within the government, between different areas of the government. There is no harmony." He believes Lula needs more active allies on the front lines of political maneuvering. "Lula is a very experienced political animal, but he can't be on the front lines. He needs people fighting for his position," he said. 

When questioned about a possible invitation to assume a ministry in Lula's government, Lira dodged the question: "I don't talk about conjectures. The 'if' doesn't exist. I've never had conversations with Lula about a ministry, nor with any member of the government." He also avoided commenting on the possibility of accepting the Ministry of Agriculture, one of the recent speculations: "I don't have answers for something that has never been discussed."

Lira also commented on the impasse between Congress and the Judiciary regarding parliamentary amendments. He stated that transparency has always been advocated, but it's necessary to avoid criminalizing the practice: "We have always defended transparency and we have always defended the amendments. They have an important social function. Things that no minister is able to see."