Lula Pushes Key Legislative Reforms in Congress Ahead of 2026 Elections
President Lula advances major bills like ending the 6x1 work schedule and public safety reforms in Congress’s final week before elections, while the election tribunal suspends his campaign ad against rival Flávio Bolsonaro.
- • Congress’s last week before the electoral break will vote on major Lula-backed reforms including ending the 6x1 work schedule and removing the import 'blusinhas tax'.
- • The public safety PEC, stalled for six months, is also expected to progress.
- • The TSE suspended a Lula campaign ad accusing opponent Flávio Bolsonaro of corruption, citing lack of legal evidence.
- • Senators and the government are optimistic that key legislative proposals will pass amid the election season.
Key details
As Brazil approaches critical elections later this year, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is actively advancing several major legislative priorities in the National Congress during the final voting week before a prolonged electoral break. Parliament’s pace has notably slowed with the elections nearing, but key bills remain on the agenda for approval by September.
Among the flagship initiatives is the Proposal for Constitutional Amendment (PEC) to abolish the controversial 6x1 work schedule for truck drivers, which is currently being debated in the Senate. Despite opposition, there is cautious optimism among senators that the PEC will pass given the political momentum and time constraints. Additionally, the Congress aims to eliminate the “blusinhas tax,” a 20% import fee on international purchases under $50, a bill requiring approval by September 8 to take effect.
Another significant bill expected to see progress after months of delay is the PEC for public safety reform, which aligns with Lula’s broader political strategy to enhance security ahead of the elections. The government is also pushing for regulations on the exploitation of critical minerals and proposing a special tax regime to attract investment in data centers.
This legislative push underscores Lula’s efforts to bolster his re-election campaign by delivering tangible policy outcomes. The National Congress is scheduled to recess after this week, with no formal sessions until November.
Separately, the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) has suspended Lula’s campaign advertisement that linked Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a key rival, to allegations of corruption and criminal activity. The TSE’s decision, led by Minister Estela Aranha, found that the advertisement exceeded acceptable political critique by presenting accusations without sufficient legal backing. Bolsonaro’s defense dismissed the claims as misleading, and the court is set to review the case further.
With less than two months to go until election day, Lula’s administration is focused on legislative wins to solidify support while also navigating intensifying electoral disputes.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Date of TSE decision
Sources report different dates for the TSE decision.
estadao.com.br
"This liminar decision, made on Sunday, October 30, will be reviewed by the full court."
www1.folha.uol.com.br
"Estela Aranha, a minister of the TSE, issued a suspension on a campaign advertisement for President Lula's re-election."
Why this matters: One source states the TSE decision was made on Sunday, October 30, while the others do not mention a specific date. This discrepancy is significant as it affects the timeline of events leading up to the elections.