Lula Showcases Salvador Projects as Rui Costa Leaves the Casa Civil

Overview

• Lula toured Salvador’s light rail and metro works Thursday under the Novo PAC program, riding a VLT test segment and authorizing a R$1.52 billion expansion of Line 1 and new hillside protections.
• The visit served as Rui Costa’s final act as chief of staff, as he confirmed his exit to run for the Senate and the government named Miriam Belchior to take over the Casa Civil.
• With Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues and Senators Jaques Wagner and Otto Alencar on stage, Lula framed the event as a coalition show of strength in Bahia, where the governor’s running mate for reelection is still undecided.
• In a local TV interview, Lula said he is working to shield families from the Iran war’s effects on fuel and food prices and backed a constitutional change to expand the federal role against organized crime.
• The display of cohesion unfolded as the Banco Master scandal threatened new disclosures and after Justice Flávio Dino ordered a preliminary Supreme Court inquiry into transfers to Fundação Oásis tied to Senator Carlos Viana.