"It's a photograph taken on a cloudy day," says Fátima Bezerra about the Quaest survey.
The governor assessed that the Lula government cannot "lower its guard" in the Northeast region, where the president's approval rating has fallen by 8 percentage points.
247 - Leading one of the few states in the Northeast governed by the Workers' Party (PT), the governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Fátima Bezerra, anticipated challenges the party will face in the region in the 2026 elections. In an interview with the newspaper... The GlobeShe highlighted that, despite the historical support of Northeasterners for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, this support is not guaranteed and will require a more active presence and a robust agenda in the coming years.
Bezerra's concern is based on the results of the Quaest survey, released last Monday (27), which showed a drop in approval of the Lula government, especially in the Northeast, where the president's positive rating fell by 8 percentage points. The governor pointed out that the government needs to expand its actions in the region, not only on the part of Lula, but also with the active participation of his ministers. "The government has to be more present here in the Northeast. Not only Lula, but also the ministers," said Fátima.
"We cannot let our guard down." At a crucial moment for the PT (Workers' Party), Bezerra explained that the government will need to resume the president's physical presence in the region to strengthen the relationship with the population. "The good thing is that now President Lula will be able to travel again and deliver the projects that began during Dilma's government and that he is now completing, such as the transposition of the São Francisco River's waters," he stated.
The governor emphasized that, in March, Lula will return to the Northeast to inaugurate the second largest water reservoir in Rio Grande do Norte, benefiting the Seridó region. Bezerra stressed that, in addition to the water issue, the government also needs to invest in infrastructure to guarantee the continuity of popular support, essential for the Northeast to continue supporting progressive candidates in the next elections.
Fátima believes that support for President Lula in 2026 is not guaranteed and that a continuous effort will be necessary to ensure that the region remains committed to the progressive political project. “We have to intensify our presence in the Northeast. The government cannot lower its guard. The political situation is more complex and, more than ever, we need to ensure that Lula's project continues to move forward,” she added.
Alliances in 2026 - The governor also commented on the need for the PT (Workers' Party) to build a broad front to guarantee Lula's victory in 2026. According to Bezerra, the president is seen as a unanimous figure within the progressive camp, but for his reelection to be successful, more than internal support will be necessary. "It's evident that Lula is aware that a broad front is necessary. The right wing is divided, but within the progressive camp, Lula is the only unifying figure," the governor stated.
Fátima Bezerra also emphasized that the 2026 election will be marked by the defense of democracy, a central theme in the face of political polarization. “The commitment to defending democracy is something that will be widely discussed. We cannot ignore the risk of democratic breakdown, especially with the rise of the far-right. Lula is the best option to ensure that the country continues on the path of democracy and development,” she highlighted.
Regarding the opposition, the governor believes that the right wing has been gaining ground, but that, with Lula's leadership and the building of alliances, it will be possible to win the election. "The government never intended to tax Pix [Brazilian instant payment system], but the use of social media to spread misinformation has been a major challenge. We need to advance in the regulation of social media to ensure that the debate is based on truth," she stated.
Renewal in the Northeast - Although she acknowledges that the PT needs to renew itself to strengthen its base, Fátima Bezerra believes that this is a debate for 2030, not for now. “President Lula will be a candidate for re-election in 2026, and we have to work to guarantee his victory. The debate about renewal in the PT is for the future. At this moment, it is fundamental that the party focuses on Lula's re-election,” she stated.
The governor also emphasized the importance of strengthening alliances with parties of the democratic center, since the current political situation demands a broad coalition. Bezerra recalled that, in Rio Grande do Norte, the PT managed to overcome electoral challenges, with Natália Bonavides reaching the second round in the elections in Natal, which the governor described as a "political victory".
