Overview
- On Wednesday Alcolumbre displayed a 3D-printed “anel da ansiedade” in the Senate plenary and said the object helps him relieve tension during heated sessions.
- The same session featured strong attacks on the government’s fiscal-adjustment bill and Alcolumbre postponed the vote to the next day while saying he would try to push it through.
- The Senate opened Pregão Eletrônico 290/2026 to contract mobile services and supply 425 smartphones on a comodato (loan) basis with the iPhone 18 Pro cited as the top-tier reference.
- Opposition senators used the tender to publicly pressure Alcolumbre over public spending and his leadership, and he defended comodato as a routine practice that senators may refuse if they wish.
- Alcolumbre is preparing for a February 2027 re-election contest and faces declared challengers Tereza Cristina and Rogério Marinho, making control of the Senate important for scheduling and passing the administration’s fiscal measures.