President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) said during a speech on radio and TV this Sunday night (8) that he is concerned about the trajectory of public debt and the interest rate and reaffirmed that he is committed to fiscal responsibility, without detailing how he will control government spending or announcing new measures.
"The trajectory of public debt and high interest rates worry me, which is why I reaffirm my commitment to fiscal responsibility, to enable sustainable social policies and the much-needed expansion of investment. All this effort will be made while preserving fiscal rules", stated the president.
The president also stated that one of the main objectives of his fourth term is to increase Brazil's investments to more than 20% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in partnership with the private sector.
"To this end, we will create the conditions to reduce the interest rate," said Lula.
The president also stated that "Brazil needs to urgently debate political and judicial reform" and it is the duty of the country's public agents to respond to the population's desire.
"The time has come for Brazilian Justice to regain its credibility. The activity of the judiciary needs judges who are impartial, ethical and free from conflict of interests and enrichment projects. With an effective Justice, we will be able to take a more rigorous approach to corruption, organized crime and tax evaders", stated Lula.
The president once again said that he will create the Ministry of Public Security, a promise that Lula had conditioned on the approval of the proposed amendment to the Public Security Constitution, approved by the Federal Senate on Tuesday (3).
As it had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the proposal will be promulgated by the president of the National Congress.
Re-elected for a fourth term, Lula arrives in the post-election period with the challenge of assembling a new team, negotiating with a more right-wing National Congress and reconciling the promises presented during the campaign with the restrictions on public accounts.
The government begins the new period under pressure mainly in the areas of public security, health and economy.
In his first speech after his victory, Lula stated that he intends to govern for the entire country and indicated as priorities topics such as public security, education, health, regulation of digital platforms and the relationship with Congress.
Setting up the ministry
Even though it is a re-election, the PT leadership believes that it will be necessary to make a transition between the third and fourth terms. The party's president, Edinho Silva, stated that Lula should talk to the parties about the composition of the new government after COP31.
According to Edinho Silva, Lula is currently focused on completing his current term and organizing with the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), and the Federal Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), the proposals that still need to pass through Congress.
Among the changes already planned is the creation of a Ministry of Public Security, a proposal presented during the campaign.
Congress will be one of the main challenges
The composition of Congress is one of the main political obstacles for the fourth term. The PL, the party of the defeated candidate, senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), will have 121 deputies and 29 senators from 2027.
Furthermore, PP, União Brasil, Republicans, Podemos and Novo supported Flávio Bolsonaro in the second round. Together, these five parties elected 245 deputies and 51 senators.
The base formed by PT and allied parties is smaller. The scenario will force the Palácio do Planalto to once again seek votes from parties from the center and Centrão to form a majority in both Houses. Lula acknowledged this scenario in his speech after the election, but stated that he intends to negotiate with the Congress chosen by the polls.
"I did not choose Congress, it was the people who chose it and it is with them that I will vote, I will work and I will approve things", he stated.
