Lula Races to Set 2026 Slate as Government Readies EU–Mercosur Safeguards Decree

Overview

• - A second in‑person Lula–Trump meeting is planned for March in Washington, with the date still being finalized and Fernando Haddad expected to join the delegation.
• - PT leaders in São Paulo push for candidacy decisions by mid‑March, press Haddad to run for governor, and defend keeping Geraldo Alckmin as Lula’s running mate.
• - Alckmin says a decree regulating EU–Mercosur safeguards will be sent to the Casa Civil with the goal of editing it before the Senate vote, as the Chamber moves to vote on the deal.
• - The agricultural caucus flags “low‑trigger” safeguard risks, yet Chamber Speaker Hugo Motta urges approval of the agreement and says the safeguards debate should not stall the vote.
• - With Tarcísio de Freitas out and Flávio Bolsonaro consolidating, Centrão parties weigh national neutrality and freer state alignments, opening room for Lula in several Northeastern states.