Brazil Superior Electoral Court admits lawsuit against Lula and Alckmin

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has ruled that a lawsuit filed by the Novo party against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is legally admissible to proceed. The case, an Electoral Judicial Investigation Action (AIJE), alleges that the ticket committed abuse of political power during the 2026 elections.

The Novo party claims the administration implemented at least 35 measures using public resources to influence voters, including a 15% increase in the Bolsa Família program, R$ 40 billion in fuel subsidies, and R$ 15 billion for debt renegotiations via the Desenrola 3.0 program. If the allegations are proven, the lawsuit seeks to revoke the mandates of both officials and render them ineligible for office for eight years.

Justice Minister Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva has ordered that Lula and Alckmin be notified to present their defense within five days. While the decision allows the process to move forward into the evidence-gathering phase, legal experts suggest the probability of a successful annulment is low, noting the difficulty of proving that specific government actions directly altered the election outcome.