Opposition senators voiced criticisms of the rising tension between the Lula government and Congress at a dinner in Rome organized by the Lide group. They warned of risks to governability amid crucial end-of-year votes. The break between Chamber President Hugo Motta and PT leader Lindbergh Farias has worsened the rift.
On the night of November 24, 2025, in Rome, Italy, opposition senators attended a dinner organized by the Lide group, presided over by former governor João Doria. Senate Vice-President Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO) described the tension between the government and Congress as 'very bad' ahead of important votes, such as the end-of-year Budget. 'The worst path is to close dialogue with the House, because the agenda is set by the leaders under the president's conduction [Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP)]', Gomes said.
He highlighted the pre-electoral moment as harmful, with little time for fundamental matters, and denied plans for bomb bills, such as the health agents' retirement project announced by Alcolumbre on November 20. Gomes predicted the vote on Jorge Messias for the STF would occur this year and commented on former President Jair Bolsonaro's arrest, stating the opposition is 'shaken' but with no flight risk.
Senator Efraim Filho (União Brasil-PB) accused the government of isolating itself 'by its attitudes', drawing the political center closer to figures like Governor Tarcísio de Freitas rather than Lula's re-election. He referenced the break between Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) and Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ), with Motta declaring no 'interest in any kind of relationship' and Lindbergh calling the attitude an 'immature reaction'.
Lindbergh downplayed the incident in a Chamber interview, stating Congress 'is not a group of friends' and that the Centrão does not appoint PT leaders. 'The political and institutional relationship continues', he said, ironically noting he is not part of Motta's 'circle of friends', including Ciro Nogueira and Eduardo Cunha. He assured the break would not affect LDO and LOA votes, which are the responsibility of government leader José Guimarães (PT-CE).
Deputy Ricardo Barros (PP-PR) regretted that the government encourages polarization, harming governability, and mentioned breaks like Alcolumbre's with Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP). The parliamentarians warned of losses in center political support ahead of elections.