Brazil’s House and Senate Presidents Skip Income Tax Law Signing, Deepening Rift With Lula

Overview

• The no-show by Hugo Motta and Davi Alcolumbre at the Planalto ceremony was reported as coordinated, highlighting a renewed alignment between the two congressional leaders.
• President Lula used his speech to call for respect and dialogue, and Minister Gleisi Hoffmann said the government had been informed in advance and would work to de-escalate tensions.
• Alcolumbre advanced a so-called pauta-bomba that approved full and parity retirement for community health agents and endemics agents, which the government estimates would cost R$100 billion over ten years.
• Alcolumbre scheduled the Constitution and Justice Committee hearing for Jorge Messias’s Supreme Court nomination for December 10, tightening the political timetable.
• Motta drew criticism for naming São Paulo’s security chief Guilherme Derrite as rapporteur of the Antifacção bill and broke with PT leader Lindbergh Farias.