# Lula's Fourth Term: Challenges and Policy Directions President Lula faces pressure to balance social promises with fiscal moderation in his new term. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a5b45820-defd-495a-b770-2de6466bd1f1 ## Public Expectations for Lula-4 A recent Quaest poll reveals that 94% of Brazilians hope for a successful administration under President Lula. Despite this optimism, a similar proportion expresses concern regarding the nation's future. The public prioritizes specific campaign promises, including ending the 6x1 work scale, zero taxes on basic food baskets, and increasing the minimum wage. ## Alignment of Goals President Lula has reiterated his commitment to these social priorities, signaling a strong alignment between his administration and public expectations. The core challenge lies in reconciling these ambitious social proposals with the government's promise of fiscal moderation. Success depends on whether the administration can maintain social spending while adhering to strict budgetary discipline. ## The Need for Renewal Political scientist Steven Levitsky argues that progressives globally lack a modern social agenda to counter the extreme right. He suggests that relying solely on the defense of democratic institutions is insufficient. Instead, there is a pressing need to update the post-war welfare state model to address contemporary labor market shifts and aspirations. ## Updating the Social Agenda Brazil's current social framework, rooted in the 1988 Constitution, requires significant updates to reflect a more educated and informed population. Today's citizens hold different dreams and fears compared to previous generations. The government must move beyond legacy formulas to effectively engage with a society that values individual effort and entrepreneurial capacity. ## Targeting New Social Strata Lula's recent campaign promises attempted to reach social groups less familiar with traditional leftist discourse. These include individuals who have climbed the educational ladder and prioritize self-reliance. Government initiatives like university savings accounts, debt renegotiation for micro-entrepreneurs, and weekend public transport aim to connect with these specific, upwardly mobile social segments. ## Limitations of Isolated Policies Many current government measures remain isolated and lack integration with broader policies like social security, health, and education. These fragmented initiatives fail to provide a cohesive vision for national development. Without a clear, unified strategy, the administration risks implementing disconnected solutions that do not address the structural needs of the Brazilian population. ## Call for Collaborative Innovation Developing a comprehensive social vision requires more than just government action, as administrations are often overwhelmed by immediate crises. The process demands active collaboration between specialists, intellectuals, and open-minded politicians. This collective effort is essential to move beyond repetitive formulas and foster genuine innovation in public policy and social welfare management. ## Defining the Future Path Lula-4 stands at a crossroads between repeating past strategies and seeking new, innovative approaches to governance. The administration must decide whether to conform to old methods or actively pursue the structural changes requested by a changing society. The outcome will determine the long-term impact of this term on Brazil's political landscape. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/maria-herminia-tavares/2026/11/as-alternativas-de-lula-4.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._