Lula's Popularity Declines Amid Corruption Scandals, PT President Expresses Optimism

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is experiencing a significant drop in popularity attributed to the pervasive political corruption scandals, according to Edinho Silva, national president of the Workers' Party (PT). Speaking on Canal Livre on Band, Edinho Silva acknowledged that although there is no direct evidence linking Lula himself to cases such as the Banco Master scandal, the ongoing corruption environment is weighing heavily on the government and Lula's public image.

Recent Datafolha survey data illustrate this decline, with positive evaluations of Lula's government falling from 32% to 29%, while those rating the administration as "bad" or "terrible" have remained steady at 40%. Additionally, the proportion of respondents rating the government as "regular" increased from 26% to 29%. The survey, conducted from April 7 to 9, 2026, included 2,004 interviews across 137 Brazilian cities and has a margin of error of two percentage points.

Regionally, Lula's support in the Northeast — traditionally a stronghold — has dropped sharply from 49% to 33% as of February 2026, marking his lowest approval rating in that area during his terms. Despite these setbacks, Edinho Silva expressed optimism about the future, suggesting that as the 2026 electoral campaign progresses, voters will better differentiate between the government and the actors responsible for corruption, potentially improving Lula's standing.

This situation reflects the political weariness bred by the corruption scandals and presents a challenge for Lula as he navigates his re-election bid amidst a skeptical electorate.