Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Define Presidential Platforms as Political Alliances Shift

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro have emerged as the top two candidates in presidential polls, each focusing on different institutional targets. President Lula has proposed reforming the system of parliamentary amendments in his government program, describing them as a distortion of the federal budget. Meanwhile, Flávio Bolsonaro has intensified his criticisms of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), specifically targeting Justice Alexandre de Moraes over the restriction of visits to former President Jair Bolsonaro. To attract center and center right support, Flávio Bolsonaro has proposed a constitutional amendment to end consecutive presidential re-election, promising to serve only one term if elected. This move is intended to reduce resistance to his candidacy and keep the path open for other conservative figures in 2030.

Political alignments continue to shift as the election approaches. Hugo Motta, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, announced that he and the Republicanos party in Paraiba will support Lula's re-election. This follows a decision by the national Republicanos leadership to remain neutral in the presidential race. Reports indicate that Lula has agreed to support Motta's own re-election to the leadership of the Chamber in 2027. While some center right sources frame Flávio Bolsonaro's single term proposal as a strategic move to strengthen democratic normality and facilitate a transition government, center and center left sources emphasize the isolation of his candidacy as major parties like Republicanos and PSD opt for neutrality or alternative candidates.