President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made a series of emphatic caresses to the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), at the dinner promoted by the president on Wednesday night (4), at the Official Residence of Granja do Torto, in Brasília.
According to leaders interviewed by CNN Brazilthe deputies themselves were surprised by the strong defense made by Lula when talking about Hugo.
The president highlighted several times that the president of the Chamber can always count on him. One leader interpreted the defense as meaning that “Hugo’s problem will also be Lula’s problem” now.
According to reports, Lula said that Hugo must have gone to sleep last year “many times with anguish” and that it is not easy to be in his position in charge of the Chamber. Furthermore, he faced what he classified as “one of the worst moments in the House”.
Lula also said that, although Hugo is young, he managed to get the Chamber to approve many important agendas “for the country” last year, in his opinion. As an example, he cited the share of the population and tax reform.
In his speech, the President of the Republic sought to say that he was there to thank the Chamber leaders for their work over the last three years, despite some friction over time. The person who spoke about the same aspect of joint work with some differences was the Minister of the Institutional Relations Secretariat, Gleisi Hoffmann.
Hugo Motta also spoke briefly. He thanked Lula for his support and said that 2026 will have a shorter first semester, in practice, for legislative activities due to Carnival, articulation of party windows, Easter and the World Cup.
The messages were well received by leaders present. Now, even with the friendly and fraternizing atmosphere, they noticed a “clear tone of the beginning of the pre-campaign and an attempt at rapprochement” from Lula. The president is now seeking support, especially from Centrão parties, for the October election.
A leader, at CNN Brazilcomplained that Lula “took three years to talk” and that, “if he took longer, it would get even uglier”.
Leaders said that the Chief Executive did not comment on the government’s list of priority agendas for 2026 in his dinner speech.
Guests reported that the atmosphere was relaxed and very informal. First, several groups were formed in circles. Then, the main menu was very Brazilian food: pirarucu fish, rice, farofa, pirão and salad. For dessert, chocolate pie, among others. Leaders praised the menu CNN Brazil.
There was no live music, but the meeting featured songs on the loudspeaker. Among the songs played, “Disparada”, performed by Jair Rodrigues.
The meeting at the Official Residence of Granja do Torto, in Brasília, started around 7pm and ended around 10pm.
Lula should also promote a similar get-together with the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) and leaders of the House, after Carnival.
The assessment is that there is still a low quorum of senators in Brasília and, therefore, it is better to wait a few more weeks for more parliamentarians to return to the federal capital.
Lula wants to see the approval of Jorge Messias’ nomination to the Federal Supreme Court soon in the Senate.
Also, try to prevent a joint session of Congress, led by Alcolumbre, from overturning the veto on the project that reduces sentences for those convicted of the attempted coup d’état.
Leaders from the allied base and the center were present, First Lady Janja da Silva, as well as ministers Fernando Haddad (Finance), Alexandre Silveira (Mines and Energy), Sidônio Palmeira (Communication of the Presidency), Guilherme Boulos (General Secretariat of the Presidency), Rui Costa (Civil House) and Gleisi Hoffmann (Secretariat of Institutional Relations).
