"The government's broad-front strategy may not be working," says Breno Altman.

247 - Journalist Breno Altman analyzed the recent ministerial reshuffle in Lula's government and the appointment of congresswoman Gleisi Hoffmann to the Secretariat of Institutional Relations during an interview with... Good Morning 247According to Altman, the choice may represent a contradiction in the government's political strategy, which seeks to broaden its support base. He also highlighted the president's declining popularity and questioned whether maintaining the so-called "broad front" is sustainable.

“Gleisi Hoffmann is a political figure of enormous quality, with very clear political positions. She was a very harsh critic of neoliberalism and austerity policies, a relentless debater against right-wing forces in Brazil, not only against Bolsonaro's supporters, but also against the liberal right,” Altman stated.

The journalist highlighted that the congresswoman's entry into the government could signal a change of course, but questioned whether this change will be effective. “Does this represent a shift in Lula's government policy regarding the broad front? I don't know, I haven't the slightest idea. I fear that anyone who claims to know what will happen is exaggerating the available information. It's a delicate situation.”

Contradiction in the broad front strategy

Altman emphasized that the broad front has been the main political axis of the government since the 2022 election. He pointed out that, until now, the strategy sought to consolidate and expand this alliance, bringing parties such as União Brasil, PSD, PP, and Republicanos, which were not in the original coalition, into the government's base. In this sense, the appointment of Gleisi Hoffmann, a figure more aligned with the left, could generate friction.

“If that was the idea, why is the Secretariat of Institutional Relations now headed by a woman as combative as Gleisi Hoffmann, who is considerably further to the left than Alexandre Padilha? Isn’t there a contradiction between these two things?” he questioned.

According to Altman, a possible explanation would be an attempt by President Lula to adopt a tougher stance with sectors of the broad front, establishing a new type of negotiation with allies. "It may be that President Lula calculates that it is necessary to be tougher in dealing with these actors to try to bring them to their knees more through pain than through affection. Certainly, Gleisi Hoffmann gives more energy to the government among the PT militants, energizes the left-wing base, and injects enthusiasm into the more progressive electorate."

Economic and political dilemma

The journalist also addressed the relationship between politics and economics in the government's strategy, highlighting that the model adopted so far seeks a balance between popular demands and the interests of financial capital.

"The government is trying to replicate, under new conditions, a policy that was implemented especially during President Lula's first term. The goal is to put rice and beans on the plates of the poor without significantly impacting the pockets of the rich," he explained.

Altman pointed out that the new fiscal framework was designed to calm market pressures and ensure credibility, while social and economic development policies continue to be implemented. However, even with positive macroeconomic results, such as GDP growth and a drop in unemployment, the government's popularity has not kept pace with these figures.

“Although this strategy has positive numbers – GDP growth of 3,4%, increased worker income, and a drop in unemployment – ​​it is not managing to garner popular support. President Lula knows this. And we are already quite close to the 2026 elections.”

According to Altman, the government faces a dilemma: if it continues to expand the broad front, it will be pressured to make more concessions to finance capital and agribusiness, which could alienate it from its popular base. On the other hand, if it adopts more left-leaning measures, it risks fracturing its political coalition.

“If the government chooses to maintain and expand the broad front, it will have to make more programmatic concessions to the right. But if it does so, won't it be reinforcing precisely the policies that make the government unpopular? On the other hand, if it decides to adopt more aggressive policies, favorable to the people and contrary to financial capital, how will it be possible to maintain this broad front?”

Land reform and its impact on alliances

According to Altman, the uncertainty surrounding the government's direction was evident in Lula's recent speech during the handover of land to families from the Landless Workers' Movement (MST). The president made emphatic statements about his political trajectory and the challenges faced by his administration.

“Lula said: 'I know where I come from and where I'm going. I know who my allies are and who the opportunists are who approach me to extract benefits from the Presidency of the Republic.' It was a very powerful speech,” Altman highlighted.

According to him, land reform is an example of how the government can face difficulties in balancing its support base. Measures such as land distribution and strengthening family farming are well received by the left, but generate resistance in agribusiness and Congress.

"Where will the government turn? Towards a more left-leaning policy, with economic measures more favorable to the people, contradicting financial capital and agribusiness, which could reduce the broad front? Or will it try to maintain and even expand this coalition with more concessions?" he questioned.

Critique of the way the economy is being run

Altman also criticized the government's delay in taking structural measures to curb food inflation, which directly affects the president's popularity. He advocated for the adoption of an export tax to reduce Brazil's dependence on commodities and increase food production for the domestic market.

"The government didn't want a crisis with agribusiness and didn't establish an export tax. But this tax would be fundamental to prevent agribusiness from continuing to divert its production abroad, worsening food inflation in the country," he stated.

He highlighted that there are two ways to address this problem: “One way is the export tax, which redirects agricultural capital to food production. The other is agrarian reform, distributing land to peasant families and strengthening family farming.”

Does the strategy need to change?

According to Altman, the government's current strategy is not working and needs to be revised if Lula wants to regain popularity and be competitive in 2026.

“The broad front strategy isn’t working. I believe it would be a mistake to maintain this vision. The government needs to regain popularity and be more competitive in the elections. I would like to see a revision of this strategy, with more profound measures to support the people,” he stated.

He pointed out that, in some areas, the government is showing signs of change, but in others it maintains a hesitant stance. "For example, there is a lethargy on the part of the government in acting against food inflation. Some palliative measures have been adopted, but nothing structural."

The central question, according to Altman, is whether the government will continue trying to balance divergent interests or whether it will shift to the left. "It's still unclear which path the government will take. But, in my opinion, the current strategy needs to be revised." Watch: