The president’s (PT) decision displeased congressmen, but it should not be enough to trigger a new crisis between the Planalto and the Legislature. The interpretation was transmitted to the Sheet by various members of Congress and the government.
There were already indications that Lula would make vetoes in this area. In December, during the Budget vote, the government tried as hard as it could to prevent Congress at the expense of Social Security and programs such as Pé-de-Meia, which helps low-income students finish high school.
This type of movement by the Executive during project votes indicates that the President of the Republic will be able to veto parts of the proposal after its approval. Furthermore, government supporters believe they have good arguments to defend the veto, since the resources sent for amendments would be missed in projects with electoral appeal.
The sanction of the 2026 Budget by Lula was made official in an extra edition of the Official Gazette published on Wednesday night.
It also helps to ensure that the veto does not become a new crisis in the rapprochement between Lula and the president of the Chamber, (-PB). The two strengthened their alliance at the end of last year, after the head of government.
There is still Motta’s interest in maintaining a good relationship with Lula during 2026. The president of the Chamber, according to allies, wants to guarantee votes from the government base and also win support from the PT member for his father, Nabor Wanderley, who will try to run for the Senate in Paraíba, a state with a strong Lula base.
Congressmen point out that, for a possible reaction, the stance of the president of , (União Brasil-AP) weighs more heavily. He, who presides over Congress, is also in rapprochement with Lula, although the movement is taking place at a slower speed than in the case of Motta.
Alcolumbre, (Supreme Federal Court) instead of choosing the senator (-MG).
According to Congress leaders, Alcolumbre has so far shown no desire to counter Lula’s veto or overthrow him. Representatives of the Legislature, who are in their electoral bases during this period of recess, indicate that attention for the return of work, in February, will be focused on the establishment of a CPMI (Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) to investigate the frauds at Banco Master.
The creation of the collegiate, which obtained the minimum signatures this week, according to the opposition, faces resistance from various wings of Congress, in addition to the government. Amapá Previdência (Amprev), led by an ally of Alcolumbre, contributed R$400 million in bank notes. Rioprevidência and Iprev de Maceió also invested resources in the Master.
The subject is politically sensitive. The wife of STF minister Alexandre de Moraes, Viviane Barci de Moraes, millionaire with a Master’s degree. Minister Dias Toffoli, rapporteur of the case at the Supreme Court, with a lawyer from the bank in November.
Congressional Budget
Amendments are a politically sensitive topic because they constitute the main mechanism for deputies and senators to send money for works in their electoral bases. At the same time, they consume resources that the government could use to support its own projects.
This topic gains importance in 2026 because of the elections. Deputies and senators want to respond to requests from mayors and other allies in the states as quickly as possible to strengthen the political machines that will support them in the October disputes.
The President of the Republic has the right to totally or partially veto projects approved by the Legislature. Deputies and senators can reject the veto and restore the text approved in Congress, but to do so they need more than half the votes of the Chamber and the Senate.
A possible reaction from the Legislature in the form of overturning the veto, however, could only come next month. Congress is in recess until early February.
