Lula's 2026 Government Plan Prioritizes Political and Electoral Reform to Strengthen Democracy

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government plan for his potential 2026 term places significant emphasis on political and electoral reform as a fundamental step to revitalizing Brazil's democracy and restoring public confidence in the political system. The plan, which was submitted by the Workers' Party (PT) to the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, outlines that democracy must genuinely reflect the population, ensure dignity, and reduce inequalities.

Central to the reform agenda is addressing the misalignment between political representation and the actual social composition of Brazil, aiming to mend public distrust in the existing framework. Internally, the PT is reportedly deliberating early proposals that could alter Brazil's voting system, potentially introducing a list voting system or a mixed district voting system if Lula is re-elected for a fourth term. These initiatives echo earlier, unsuccessful attempts during Lula's and Dilma Rousseff's previous administrations to achieve electoral reform due to the lack of consensus in Congress.

Lula’s plan critiques the current parliamentary amendment model and the secret budget system, warning that the concentration of resources in Congress weakens the executive branch. The broader government program is structured around 13 pillars addressing diverse issues such as social participation, food security, public security, education, health, sustainable development, and national sovereignty.

Among other key proposals are increased investments in defense, advancing stalled projects including a pending constitutional amendment to create a Ministry of Public Security, efforts to enhance intelligence capabilities, and a national strategy to combat organized crime. Furthermore, the plan envisages restoring Petrobras's role in fuel distribution, contingent on legal clarifications regarding privatization rights conceded in 2019.

The last major electoral reform debate, led by Senator Marcelo Castro in 2024, proposed measures like ending re-election and extending presidential and gubernatorial terms to five years. However, this initiative did not reach consensus or approval, underscoring the persistent challenges in Brazil’s political reform process. Lula’s 2026 plan therefore underscores the urgency and necessity of these reforms as essential to strengthening democracy and aligning political structures with societal realities.