Planalto Seeks to Contain Banco Master Fallout, Faces Split Over a CPI

Overview

• Minister Gleisi Hoffmann downplayed Lula’s off‑agenda meetings with founder Daniel Vorcaro and said the president ordered technical scrutiny, adding that Lewandowski’s past consultancy was legal and ended before he became justice minister.
• Government leader José Guimarães said he will work against creating a congressional inquiry into Master, while PT leader Lindbergh Farias signaled support for a CPMI and noted he signed a request, exposing internal divergence.
• A strategy outlined to O Globo frames support for investigations while seeking to stop a CPI to protect the legislative agenda, as online mention volumes surged with new attention on Lewandowski’s consultancy and Jaques Wagner’s role in the referral.
• Presidential aides told G1 that targets of the probe are trying to throw up a “smoke screen,” but assessed that the Federal Police and the Central Bank will not pull back, even as STF handling of related filings drew scrutiny.
• In parallel diplomacy, Lula’s 50‑minute Jan. 26 call with President Trump was arranged after White House outreach, with Lula proposing that a planned Peace Council focus on Gaza with a Palestinian seat and discussing a future visit to Washington.