Lula Seeks to Avoid Backlash Over Security and Evangelical Voters – 11/06/2026 – Politics
The Lula government is trying to reach an agreement with Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to prevent the vote on proposals that could damage President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva politically, especially on public security and religious issues before the next election.
The Planalto is particularly worried about two constitutional amendments: one that would lower the age of criminal responsibility and another known as the “Churches PEC,” which expands tax immunity for religious entities. In practice, the churches proposal would shield goods, services, and consumption linked to temples from taxation, including items such as helicopters, vehicles, food, and cleaning services. Although the Workers’ Party and most left-wing parties opposed it, the government was forced to release its coalition in the Chamber of Deputies in late May. Officials fear that opposing the measure could allow rivals to portray Lula as hostile to religious activity, especially among evangelicals.
The administration is also working to improve its ties with evangelicals, who make up nearly 27% of Brazil’s population according to the 2022 Census and have leaned more toward the Bolsonaro family in recent years. Last week, the PT issued a letter to this audience emphasizing freedom of belief. Another sign of outreach is Lula’s insistence on nominating Jorge Messias, who is evangelical, to the Supreme Federal Court.
On the criminal age issue, at least two PECs are moving through Congress. One has already been approved by the Constitution and Justice Committee in the Chamber, and allies believe it may advance quickly because of its electoral appeal. Another is ready to be placed on the Senate agenda. Lula’s allies want neither proposal to be voted on before the election. The government opposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility and favors other ways to fight youth crime, but officials recognize the broad public appeal of the idea.
Security remains a difficult area for the PT, and the government fears being cornered if the Senate accelerates the debate while Lula is trying to regain ground in polls against his main rival, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The Planalto also does not want the age debate to overshadow its own initiatives, including a stalled public security PEC in the Senate and Lula’s recent announcement of a new program to combat cellphone theft.
The government’s strategy is to persuade Alcolumbre not to put either proposal to a vote before the election. Confidence in him improved after talks on so-called “bombshell” bills with high fiscal impact. This week, Alcolumbre met with ministers José Guimarães and Dario Durigan, who asked him to hold back proposals that could strain the federal budget. He reportedly signaled that he does not want to vote on salary-floor increases or special retirement rules this year.
However, the Senate did advance three controversial bills on Wednesday, June 10, though government allies say this did not represent a breach of the understanding. An agreement with Lula and Alcolumbre is now expected soon, with the government also hoping to move forward on three priorities in the Senate: the end of the 6×1 work schedule, the public security PEC, and a legal framework for critical minerals and rare earth exploration.
