Lula administration spends R$ 278.3 billion on subsidies and social programs

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration has spent R$ 278.3 billion in his third term through various programs and subsidies, according to data from the Gastômetro tool by O Estado de São Paulo.

The expenditures include credit programs and subsidies for specific sectors, such as truck drivers and app-based drivers, as well as financing for housing. Other significant costs involve revenue waivers, such as income tax exemptions for those earning up to R$ 7,000 per month, and direct social programs like Pé-de-Meia and Gás do Povo.

Additionally, the spending includes institutional advertising and initiatives outside the formal budget, such as the Desenrola Brasil debt relief program and the Luz do Povo electricity subsidy for low-income families. Critics suggest these measures may be intended to bolster economic perception ahead of future elections, despite electoral laws that restrict certain benefits during campaign periods.