Lula reshuffles inner circle for reelection campaign

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has restructured his inner circle as he prepares for a reelection campaign. This reorganization follows Federal Police investigations into several allies and shifts in electoral dynamics.

The new core group includes Edinho Silva, president of the PT and reelection committee coordinator; Fernando Haddad, a candidate for the government of São Paulo; Sidônio Palmeira, Minister of Social Communication; and Paulo Okamotto, former president of the Perseu Abramo Foundation. Okamotto is tasked with logistics and social media mobilization, focusing on engaging autonomous workers.

Economic strategy is being led by Finance Minister Dario Durigan, Planning Minister Bruno Moretti, and BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante. Additionally, First Lady Janja and Gilberto Carvalho are managing outreach to female voters and evangelical leaders, a demographic where polling shows significant competition.

The restructuring also reflects a distancing from allies under investigation, such as Senator Jaques Wagner and former chief of staff Marco Aurélio Santana Ribeiro.