Brazil’s political agenda is intensifying as the country moves closer to election season, with several major developments unfolding across institutional, security, and labor fronts. President Lula is pressing forward with his nomination of Jorge Messias to the Supreme Federal Court despite a Senate rejection, asserting his constitutional authority to nominate while facing significant procedural obstacles. On public security, his administration is rallying support for the Security Amendment in the Senate, a push that gained new urgency after the United States designated the PCC and CV as terrorist organizations — an area where Lula’s government consistently receives its lowest approval ratings. In a significant labor victory, the Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment reducing the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours and opening the door to the end of the 6×1 work schedule, though the measure still faces an uncertain path through the Senate.
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Supreme Court Nomination
President Lula (PT) stated on Friday (29/05) that he intends to resubmit the name of Jorge Messias for the vacancy on the Supreme Federal Court (STF), despite the Senate’s rejection of the current Attorney General of the Union. Lula argued that the decision would be made out of respect for the constitutional prerogatives of the presidency. “It is I who nominate,” the president said, adding that the Senate should only reject a nominee if there are doubts regarding legal qualifications. However, a Senate rule established in 2010, during the presidency of José Sarney, prevents the reconsideration of a rejected nominee during the same legislative session. As a result, if Lula formally resubmits Messias’s name this year, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil) could dismiss the nomination without requiring a new vote by senators.
Public Security
Members of President Lula’s (PT) administration argue that approval of the Security Amendment in the Senate, already considered a government priority, has become even more important following the decision by the United States to classify the Red Command (CV) and the First Capital Command (PCC) as terrorist organizations. Government allies have viewed the proposal as a potential landmark initiative of Lula’s third term in the field of public security, an area where the left has traditionally faced political challenges. Public security is expected to be one of the central themes of this year’s election campaign and, according to a Datafolha survey released on the 17th, it remains the area in which Lula’s administration receives its lowest approval ratings, cited by 16% of respondents as the government’s weakest sector.
End of the 6×1 Work Schedule
The Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (27/05) a Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC) that reduces the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours over a period of 14 months and allows for the elimination of the 6×1 work schedule. The proposal will now be analyzed by the Senate, although no date has yet been set for a vote. The measure is expected to face resistance among senators. According to interlocutors of Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil), despite its popular appeal, the proposal is unlikely to move quickly through the upper chamber, although it is expected to be approved before this year’s elections. Under the approved text, the four-hour reduction in the workweek would occur in two stages: the first two hours would be reduced within two months of the PEC’s enactment, while the remaining two hours would be phased out within 12 months. The end of the 6×1 schedule, guaranteeing at least two days off per week, preferably including Sunday, would take effect 60 days after the amendment becomes law.
Inaugurations
President Lula is expected to accelerate the inauguration of public works projects in the country’s largest electoral districts this month. The strategy was originally designed to capitalize on the political difficulties faced by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) following revelations involving messages exchanged with banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master. Since last week, however, government officials have also viewed the initiative to counter opposition attacks on public security after the United States classified the PCC and CV as terrorist organizations. The schedule prepared by the Planalto Palace includes inaugurations of highways, federal educational institutes, and hospitals. The effort is focused primarily on São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the country’s two largest electoral strongholds and the states historically associated with the origins of the factions targeted by the U.S. measure.
Analysis:
The current political moment illustrates how institutional disputes, public security, and economic concerns are becoming increasingly interconnected as Brazil approaches the electoral cycle. President Lula’s decision to insist on the nomination of Jorge Messias, despite the Senate’s unprecedented rejection, reflects a broader struggle over the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches. At the same time, the U.S. designation of the PCC and the Red Command as terrorist organizations has intensified pressure on the federal government to demonstrate a more robust security agenda. In this context, the Security Amendment has acquired strategic importance not only as a public policy initiative but also as a political response to criticism that the administration lacks effective responses to organized crime.
At the same time, the approval of the constitutional amendment reducing the workweek and the acceleration of public works inaugurations reveal the administration’s attempt to strengthen its position through measures with direct social and economic appeal. Together, these initiatives demonstrate an effort to improve public perception, particularly in areas where the government faces greater political challenges.
