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Jaques Wagner resigns as Senate government leader amid Master Bank probe
Senator Jaques Wagner (PT‑BA) announced on 24 June 2026 that he will step down from his role as the government leader in Brazil’s Senate. In a post on social media he said the decision was taken in “common agreement” after a two‑hour meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Palácio da Alvorada. Wagner pledged to focus on proving his innocence and on supporting the re‑election campaigns of President Lula, Bahia Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues and Senate candidate Rui Costa.
The move follows intense political pressure after Wagner was named in the 9th phase of Operation Compliance Zero, a Federal Police investigation into alleged fraud and money‑laundering at Banco Master. Searches and seizures were carried out at his residences in Brasília and Salvador, and investigators allege he received benefits from banker Augusto Lima, a former partner of Banco Master’s owner Daniel Vorcaro. Wagner denies any wrongdoing.
Government insiders are already weighing successors; former Education Minister Camilo Santana and Senator Teresa Leitão are among the names mentioned. The resignation is intended to limit damage to the Lula administration ahead of the 2026 elections.