PT Rift Over Janja's Visibility Elevates Calls To Boost Alckmin

Overview

• Campaign tensions erupted into public view after a closed PT leadership meeting where Kátia Abreu argued for “menos Janja, mais Alckmin,” a call she repeated in an interview.
• Abreu framed the demand as electoral strategy and said Alckmin should appear more in the campaign and could even be considered for a finance portfolio to reassure centrist, business and rural voters.
• Janja reportedly told Abreu in a private message that she will not reduce her role in the campaign “por decisão do meu marido,” a reply that signals Lula backs her continued visibility.
• Several campaign operatives say criticisms of Janja have been kept private to avoid upsetting Lula, but the first-round result and media exposure of the dispute have increased pressure to change communications quickly.
• The debate builds on past incidents critics cite — including Janja’s intervention during Lula’s May 2025 meeting with Xi Jinping, confrontational remarks on the stump and a gospel-style jingle — which allies say have at times distracted from campaign messaging.