Lula rolls out over R$180 billion pre‑election package and defends SUS

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced a series of economic and social measures that together total more than R$180 billion as the country enters the three‑month electoral “defeso” period that restricts official events and promotions. The 16‑item package targets Brazil’s middle‑income voters and includes credit lines for trucks, buses, agricultural machinery, motorcycles for app‑delivery workers and fleet renewal for taxis; subsidies for diesel to offset the Iran‑Israel war impact; a R$15 billion injection into the Fundo de Garantia de Operações to support debt renegotiation; and an expansion of the Micro‑entrepreneur Individual (MEI) revenue cap. Several measures involve revenue waivers or increased spending, while others use public‑funded credit at rates below market. In a separate health‑focused event, Lula defended the public Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), announced R$464.8 million in health‑sector deliveries, and criticised the tax deduction for private‑health‑plan expenses, calling it a privilege paid by the poor. During the event he also made a provocative gesture toward wealthier critics. The announcements aim to boost support ahead of the October election while the government argues the package will not materially pressure inflation.