Lula Thanks Congress, Admits Coordination Failures as Key Year-End Votes Loom

Overview

• At an ApexBrasil event in Brasília, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised lawmakers for backing core economic measures and singled out tax reform as a major achievement.
• Lula said recent defeats reflected the government's own shortcomings in political coordination and in persuading legislators to support its proposals.
• He criticized Congress for overturning his environmental licensing vetoes, warning of risks to agricultural exporters and Brazil's trade standing, including effects on EU–Mercosur talks.
• Lawmakers are slated this week to take up the 2026 budget, possible votes on tax reform regulation, adjustments to the fiscal framework for health and education, and a bill to reduce tax benefits.
• ApexBrasil inaugurated its new headquarters and reported 500 new international market openings since 2023, while officials projected record exports for 2025.