Haddad's politically charged speech reignites debate over Lula's succession in 2026
Haddad's politically charged speech reignites debate over Lula's succession in 2026 .      Although the move is clear to those following the government's inner workings, the Finance minister avoids jumping the gun and positioning himself as a candidate just yet Tasked by President Lula to address the nation and explain the government's fiscal adjustment package, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad adopted a political tone in his national radio and TV address. This move helped reinforce his position as the leading figure in the Workers' Party (PT) administration, second only to the president himself. Within government circles, the message was clear: Haddad is currently the strongest candidate within the PT to succeed Lula, whether in 2026, if Lula opts not to seek re-election, or in 2030.
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Jornal O Globo
Tasked by President Lula to address the nation and explain the government's fiscal adjustment package, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad adopted a political tone in his national radio and TV address. This move helped reinforce his position as the leading figure in the Workers' Party (PT) administration, second only to the president himself. Within government circles, the message was clear: Haddad is currently the strongest candidate within the PT to succeed Lula, whether in 2026, if Lula opts not to seek re-election, or in 2030.

Given the challenging circumstances, those close to Haddad believe he performed well in his "presidential" debut. Typically, the task of explaining significant topics to the public via radio and television falls to the President of the Republic. This was Haddad's first such address since the government took office.

The address had an election campaign feel, featuring positive economic figures, images of Lula at the G20 alongside world leaders, scenes of infrastructure projects, and families enjoying full meals. During the seven-minute prime-time broadcast, Haddad also highlighted key programs from the current administration, such as Pé-de-Meia, providing financial aid to students; Desenrola, which offers debt forgiveness; and Acredite, focused on entrepreneurship.

A presidential candidate in 2018, when Lula was imprisoned and barred from running, Haddad leveraged his connection with his political mentor in an attempt to win the election. At the time, he even donned a mask of the current president during the campaign, declaring "Haddad is Lula, Lula is Haddad." The strategy was unsuccessful.

Now, as the face of Lula's government on TV, the consensus within the administration is that once again, the strategy will be to closely associate Haddad's image with the country's leading leftist figure.

While the move is evident to those following government affairs, Haddad is cautious about jumping the gun and positioning himself as Lula's successor. In an interview with O GLOBO earlier this year, however, he urged the party to begin preparing for the transition. In his view, barring 2026, when Lula is expected to seek re-election, the issue "will arise" in the subsequent election.

The strategy is less clear for other potential candidates, such as Education Minister Camilo Santana or even Chief of Staff Rui Costa.

However, to establish himself as a viable contender, Haddad will now face the challenge of restoring credibility with the market, shaken after the inclusion of raising the income tax exemption threshold in the measures package.

The idea of combining the two initiatives in a single announcement was "entirely" Lula's. It was a way to prevent the measures from being labeled as a "package of hardships." In a meeting, the president sought his aides' opinions on the matter.

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Rui Costa supported the combination. Only Haddad opposed it, believing the income tax reform package, which had been on the president's desk since August, should be postponed until after the fiscal adjustment measures were approved by Congress.

Despite losing the argument over the income tax issue, Haddad was still chosen by Lula for the radio and TV address. Within the Finance Ministry, the preferred approach was a low-profile presentation. However, the president believed from the outset of discussions on the adjustment package that a national radio and TV broadcast was the most effective way to make the announcement.

The speech was drafted by the minister's aides and presented to him for feedback. Afterwards, Sidônio Palmeira, the marketing strategist behind Lula's successful 2022 campaign, approved it.

The prime-time broadcast addressed the economic package in general terms, competing for attention with celebrations of the revival of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida and Farmácia Popular programs, as well as the implementation of Pé-de-Meia, Desenrola, and Acredite. It also drew comparisons with the Bolsonaro administration, stating that the real minimum wage increase had been "overlooked" by the previous government.
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2024-11-29
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     Although the move is clear to those following the government's inner workings, the Finance minister avoids jumping the gun and positioning himself as a candidate just yet Tasked by President Lula to address the nation and explain the government's fiscal adjustment package, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad adopted a political tone in his national radio and TV address. This move helped reinforce his position as the leading figure in the Workers' Party (PT) administration, second only to the president himself. Within government circles, the message was clear: Haddad is currently the strongest candidate within the PT to succeed Lula, whether in 2026, if Lula opts not to seek re-election, or in 2030.
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Given the challenging circumstances, those close to Haddad believe he performed well in his "presidential" debut. Typically, the task of explaining significant topics to the public via radio and television falls to the President of the Republic. This was Haddad's first such address since the government took office.
The address had an election campaign feel, featuring positive economic figures, images of Lula at the G20 alongside world leaders, scenes of infrastructure projects, and families enjoying full meals. During the seven-minute prime-time broadcast, Haddad also highlighted key programs from the current administration, such as Pé-de-Meia, providing financial aid to students; Desenrola, which offers debt forgiveness; and Acredite, focused on entrepreneurship.
A presidential candidate in 2018, when Lula was imprisoned and barred from running, Haddad leveraged his connection with his political mentor in an attempt to win the election. At the time, he even donned a mask of the current president during the campaign, declaring "Haddad is Lula, Lula is Haddad." The strategy was unsuccessful.
Now, as the face of Lula's government on TV, the consensus within the administration is that once again, the strategy will be to closely associate Haddad's image with the country's leading leftist figure.
While the move is evident to those following government affairs, Haddad is cautious about jumping the gun and positioning himself as Lula's successor. In an interview with O GLOBO earlier this year, however, he urged the party to begin preparing for the transition. In his view, barring 2026, when Lula is expected to seek re-election, the issue "will arise" in the subsequent election.
The strategy is less clear for other potential candidates, such as Education Minister Camilo Santana or even Chief of Staff Rui Costa.
However, to establish himself as a viable contender, Haddad will now face the challenge of restoring credibility with the market, shaken after the inclusion of raising the income tax exemption threshold in the measures package.
The idea of combining the two initiatives in a single announcement was "entirely" Lula's. It was a way to prevent the measures from being labeled as a "package of hardships." In a meeting, the president sought his aides' opinions on the matter.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Rui Costa supported the combination. Only Haddad opposed it, believing the income tax reform package, which had been on the president's desk since August, should be postponed until after the fiscal adjustment measures were approved by Congress.
Despite losing the argument over the income tax issue, Haddad was still chosen by Lula for the radio and TV address. Within the Finance Ministry, the preferred approach was a low-profile presentation. However, the president believed from the outset of discussions on the adjustment package that a national radio and TV broadcast was the most effective way to make the announcement.
The speech was drafted by the minister's aides and presented to him for feedback. Afterwards, Sidônio Palmeira, the marketing strategist behind Lula's successful 2022 campaign, approved it.
The prime-time broadcast addressed the economic package in general terms, competing for attention with celebrations of the revival of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida and Farmácia Popular programs, as well as the implementation of Pé-de-Meia, Desenrola, and Acredite. It also drew comparisons with the Bolsonaro administration, stating that the real minimum wage increase had been "overlooked" by the previous government.
The translation of this text into english was carried out by Project Irineu, O GLOBO's initiative to develop artificial intelligence tools. Here is the link to the original report.
Haddad's politically charged speech reignites debate over Lula's succession in 2026