New leaders elected to Brazil's Congress promise independence from Lula

Brazil's House and Senate elected new leaders on Saturday who promised independence from the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during their two-year terms, which will be the final stretch of Lula's presidency.

While expected, the election of representative Hugo Motta, for speaker of the House, and Davi Alcolumbre, to head the Senate, is likely to pose challenges for Brazil's leftist leader amid declining approval ratings.

Both men have gained support from conservatives and liberals alike partly by promising to fight for Congress to determine the destination of an ever-bigger share of Brazil's federal budget, which may be spent regardless of the Lula administration's priorities.

Members of Congress now control nearly a quarter of the funds available for the federal government's investments and policy enactments, a proportion that has notably increased over the past decade.

The rules that regulate how lawmakers spend those earmarked funds are now under intense scrutiny at the Supreme Court, a source of great tension between the justices and Congress.

In a speech before his victory was confirmed, Alcolumbre stressed tensions over earmarked funds as a major challenge for the next two years, but added that he was committed to "preserving the Senate's independence."

Motta also vowed to strengthen the House in a speech to fellow lawmakers, promising to "maintain its autonomy and independence in its relationship with the other powers."

Lula's approval ratings recently dropped below 50% for the first time since he took office in 2023, as he is dealing with both pressure to deliver on his biggest promises to voters and from investors who are increasingly concerned that his administration is spending too much.

Lula is seen by his Workers Party as the only leader who can defeat a right-wing candidate in the 2026 presidential election, despite his efforts to create support for a successor.

During a rare press conference on Thursday, Lula told reporters he wouldn't meddle in Saturday's election in Congress.

"Whoever wins I will respect," he said. "I won't have difficulties in the relationship with Congress."

Lula is scheduled to meet with the two new leaders next week, his Institutional Relations Minister, Alexandre Padilha, said on Saturday. He added that one of Lula's priorities is to make the economy "increasingly fairer" by passing a bill exempting those earning under 5,000 reais ($850) from income taxes, a move that will require broad Congressional support.