PT Split Over First Lady Janja's Prominence in Lula's Runoff Campaign

Overview

• Kátia Abreu, a PT campaign coordinator, renewed public criticism of Janja after a party leadership meeting on Tuesday by saying the priority must be reelecting Lula rather than the first lady's visibility.
• Janja has signaled she will not scale back her role, reportedly telling Abreu she will not reduce participation 'por decisão do meu marido', and her office issued a note defending her continued involvement.
• Allies say Janja's unusually visible campaign style — singing jingles, speaking at rallies and intervening in meetings — has at times distracted campaign messaging and that those actions did not clearly translate into more votes.
• Some figures within the coalition are urging greater prominence for Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to reclaim centrist, business and market voters and Kátia Abreu has publicly endorsed boosting his role.
• Campaign leaders now face a tactical choice between preserving visible unity around Lula and making fast changes to communications and coalition outreach to recover lost votes ahead of the October 25 runoff and follow-up polls.