Senate President Davi Alcolumbre showed irritation with President Lula's criticism of parliamentary amendments, claiming Congress seized the budget. He complained by phone to a Planalto official during a plenary session. Lula's statement came in a meeting with business leaders and civil society.
During the 6th Conselhão meeting on Thursday (4), President Lula criticized the volume of parliamentary amendments, stating: "I do not agree with mandatory amendments. I think the fact that the National Congress seizes 50% of the Union's Budget is a serious historical mistake. But you will only end this when you change the people who govern and approve it".
The speech bothered allied deputies and senators in the Chamber of Deputies plenary. A deputy handed the phone to Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), who was presiding the session, connecting him to the Special Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs of the SRI, André Ceciliano.
According to parliamentarians, Alcolumbre publicly questioned "what seizure" that would be, highlighting his efforts to approve the LDO as the government desired and his actions to help Correios by changing the fiscal target for state-owned companies in 2026, avoiding expense cuts.
Parliamentary amendments have caused frictions between the Powers since the start of Lula's term. STF Minister Flávio Dino blocked the execution of these resources, demanding more transparency, which congressmen saw as Planalto interference.
Alcolumbre and Ceciliano did not comment when contacted. Congressmen say Lula's statement worsens the climate in the Legislature, especially amid recent tensions, such as the choice of Jorge Messias for the STF instead of Rodrigo Pacheco, Alcolumbre's ally. Nonetheless, Thursday's session marked an initial reconciliation, with the consensual approval of the LDO. Lula plans to meet Alcolumbre to mend the relationship, which previously positioned him as the main ally in Congress against Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB).