Lula hints at running for reelection in 2026 and suggests conciliation with the Legislature

President Lula (PT) reinforced this Friday 4 the possibility of running for a new term in 2026. In a ceremony at the Itaguaí Naval Complex, in Rio de Janeiro, the PT member addressed those already discussing the next electoral cycle.

“I don’t want to make you nervous because I still have a year and a half left in my term and there are people who think that the government is over, there are people who are already thinking about the election. They don’t know what I’m thinking,” he declared. “ So, get ready, because if everything goes as I think, this country will have a president elected four times for the first time. ”

The statement is the most explicit indication so far that Lula will run for reelection.

IOF

Lula's statement comes amid tensions between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, heightened by an impasse over the increase in the IOF tax rate. Earlier this Friday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes suspended the effects of the presidential decree that provided for the adjustment and the legislative decree that overturned it.

Moraes also scheduled a conciliation hearing for July 15 between representatives of the federal government, Congress, the Attorney General's Office and the plaintiffs in the actions at the Supreme Court – PSOL, PL and the Attorney General's Office itself. In his decision, the minister warned of the risk of an “undesirable clash between the measures of the Executive and Legislative branches”, which would violate the principle of harmony between the branches of government provided for in the Constitution.

Message to Congress

Despite the turbulent scenario, Lula opted for a conciliatory speech. He praised the functioning of the Legislature and mentioned the president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), in a friendly tone .

“Brazil has a consolidated democracy. The institutions are functioning. Congress is functioning. And we have a Speaker of the House who knows his responsibilities,” said Lula.

The president, finally, downplayed the crisis and stated that differences between the Powers are natural.