Jaques Wagner resigns Senate leadership amid Banco Master investigation

Senator Jaques Wagner (PT‑BA) stepped down from his role as leader of the government bloc in the Brazilian Senate after a personal meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Wagner said the decision allows him to focus on proving his innocence and on re‑election campaigns for President Lula, Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues and himself.

Wagner is under probe in Operation Compliance Zero, which examines alleged irregularities involving Banco Master. Federal investigators have barred him from contacting companies linked to the bank and from managing any dealings with them. The inquiry alleges he received benefits such as a Salvador apartment, transfers totalling roughly R$ 3.5 million through a family‑related firm, use of private aircraft and concert tickets. Wagner denied wrongdoing, claiming the money has a legitimate origin and that the Federal Police’s public display of seized foreign‑currency notes violated court‑ordered secrecy.

He criticised the police for “spectacularising” the case, arguing that the evidence was handled improperly and that the investigation seeks to create a narrative against his party. No formal charges have been filed to date.