CONGRESS
Speaker’s government honeymoon looks to have been called off
A collaboration between President Lula and House Speaker Hugo Motta could benefit both men. But they can’t seem to get on the same wavelength. Photo: Marcelo Camargo/EBC
As the legislative year started at the beginning of this month, House Speaker Hugo Motta signaled that he wanted a fresh start in his relationship with the Lula administration. He has good reason to play nice. His father, Nabor Wanderley, is eyeing one of the Senate seats up for grabs in his home state of Paraíba — a state where Lula polls tremendously well.
Trailing in the polls, Wanderley could use a presidential nudge. That’s why Motta floated a potential quid pro quo: he would shepherd through Congress the government’s marquee bills for this election year, and, in return, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva would endorse his father.
On paper, it looked like Motta would hold up his end of the bargain, signaling that he would deliver on two priorities dear to Lula: a package of anti-crime legislation and a proposal to abolish the six-day workweek.
But like the scorpion that stings the frog ferrying it across the river, Motta soon reverted to…
🔒 This was a free preview; the rest is behind our paywall
Don’t miss out! Upgrade to unlock full access. The process takes only seconds with Apple Pay or Stripe. Become a member.
Why you should subscribe
We’re here for readers who want to truly understand Brazil and Latin America — a region too often ignored or misrepresented by the international media.
Since 2017, our reporting has been powered by paid subscribers. They’re the reason we can keep a full-time team of journalists across Brazil and Argentina, delivering sharp, independent coverage every day.
If you value our work, subscribing is the best way to keep it going — and growing.
Interested in advertising with us? Get in touch.
Need a special report? We can do it.
Have an idea for an article or column? Pitch us
