Lula regains political momentum and plans campaign events for election year.

247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) begins the 2026 election year in a more comfortable position than at the beginning of 2025, boosted by a combination of internal and external factors that have strengthened his political image. This information comes from the newspaper... Folha de S.Paulo.

At the beginning of last year, the scenario was more adverse. The federal government faced successive image crises, most notably the spread of fake news related to Pix (Brazil's instant payment system), which allowed the opposition to dominate the economic narrative. Since then, the Planalto Palace has sought to reorganize its communication and reposition priorities, a strategy that is beginning to take effect on the eve of the elections.

Despite the more favorable moment, the new year brings significant risks. The crisis in Venezuela, coupled with investigations involving Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, reignites sensitive issues that could gain traction during the campaign. Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding the formation of electoral alliances in key states, such as Minas Gerais, where the president's support is still being built.

In response to the public outcry, Lula adopted a public stance defending the investigations and stated that if his son is involved, it should be investigated. This strategy aims to avoid accusations of interference and reinforce the discourse of respect for institutions, a central tenet of the current government.

In the international arena, the series of clashes with the United States opened space for Lula to reclaim the banner of national sovereignty, historically associated with the Brazilian right. The confrontation began with the increase in tariffs on Brazilian products and the application of sanctions under the Magnitsky Act to Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court.

Then-US President Donald Trump used Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) trial in the Supreme Court as justification for trade measures, receiving public support from Eduardo Bolsonaro. The stance of the former president's son, in defending retaliatory measures that affected the Brazilian economy, weakened the nationalist discourse of Bolsonarism and allowed Lula to occupy that political space.

The Brazilian government's reaction and diplomatic negotiations contributed to an improvement in the president's popularity. Amid the talks, Trump backed down on some of the measures and even publicly praised Lula, a gesture exploited by the Brazilian government as a sign of political strength on the international stage.

Nevertheless, foreign policy remains a point of attention. The recent US attack on Venezuela has reignited the debate about Lula's relationship with Nicolás Maduro. Although the Brazilian government has not recognized the 2024 Venezuelan election, the historical closeness between the two leaders is constantly used by the opposition to accuse Lula of complicity with an authoritarian regime.

Officials from the Presidential Palace state that the strategy will be to prevent the international situation from dominating the electoral debate. The campaign should focus its efforts on publicizing the results of the third term, emphasizing economic indicators and the approval of projects considered priorities by the government.

"The last year was very positive for President Lula's government due to the good results in the economy, with a record reduction in unemployment and inflation under control," stated the Minister of Institutional Relations. Gleisi Hoffmann (PT)She also highlighted the progress of proposals in Congress: "We approved very important agendas in Congress, such as income tax exemption with taxation of the wealthiest, the 'People's Gas' and 'People's Electricity' programs, and because we engaged in political debate within society, centered around tax justice, national sovereignty, and the defense of democracy."

In the area of ​​communication, the government adjusted its discourse and began to emphasize the fight against privileges. The official slogan was changed to "On the side of the Brazilian people," replacing "Unity and Reconstruction," in an attempt to reinforce identification with the popular classes and differentiate the government from more elitist sectors of politics.

This discourse, however, also generates tensions. Lula has entered into a collision course with one of the main agendas of Congress, especially the centrist bloc: parliamentary amendments. The issue became a focus of institutional friction after decisions by Minister Flávio Dino of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which blocked and imposed limits on the transfers of funds.

The president publicly aligned himself with the Supreme Court, criticizing the volume of mandatory amendments, which generated discomfort among allies. Alliances with centrist parties, however, continue to be considered fundamental for building competitive platforms in his reelection bid.

In Minas Gerais, one of the country's main electoral districts, Lula is considering alternatives to Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD). Among the names being considered are Tadeu Leite (MDB), president of the Minas Gerais Legislative Assembly, and Alexandre Kalil (PDT), former mayor of Belo Horizonte.

As part of the national strategy, Lula instructed ministers with electoral ambitions to leave their posts starting in April, the legal deadline for resigning from their positions. The goal is to strengthen allied candidacies in the states and expand the reach of the government's political project in a crucial year.