Lula to decide Jaques Wagner's Senate leadership amid Master bank scandal

Senator Jaques Wagner, the government’s leader in Brazil’s Senate, faces mounting pressure after a Federal Police operation targeting the Banco Master scandal implicated him in alleged corruption. Party insiders say the investigation is damaging President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re‑election campaign, especially in the strategic state of Bahia. Lula is expected to meet Wagner this week to determine whether he will remain in the leadership role. Sources indicate the president may urge Wagner to step down voluntarily, with former education minister Camilo Santana mentioned as a preferred successor, while other senators such as Teresa Leitão have also been floated. Wagner has publicly stated he does not intend to resign and claims the president has not raised the issue in recent phone calls. The PT’s campaign coordination has publicly recommended Wagner’s exit so he can focus on his legal defence, and former minister Simone Tebet echoed the call, urging a withdrawal to avoid further damage to the government.