# Brazilian Voters Prioritize Labor Reform and Tax Relief for Lula's Fourth Term Public opinion survey highlights economic concerns and legislative challenges facing the incoming administration. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ffe5666d-959a-42dd-848f-0d291be9da63 ## Top Voter Priorities A recent Quaest survey reveals that Brazilian voters prioritize ending the 6x1 work schedule and eliminating taxes on basic food items for President Lula's fourth term. These two campaign promises are tied as the most important issues, with 17% and 16% of respondents respectively identifying them as primary goals for the new administration. ## Legislative and Fiscal Progress The zero-tax policy for basic food items is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, following recent tax reforms. Meanwhile, the Senate has already approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the work week from 44 to 40 hours, marking a significant shift in legislative momentum regarding labor rights and employment conditions. ## Economic Concerns Rising Among voters expressing concern about the future, 27% cite the economy, public debt, and interest rates as their primary worries. This anxiety is particularly pronounced among right-leaning voters. The gross debt reached 82.9% of GDP in September, contributing to market volatility and a notable decline in the local stock exchange performance. ## Monetary Policy Challenges The Central Bank recently maintained the Selic interest rate at 13.75% per year, halting a series of five consecutive cuts. Finance Minister Dario Durigan indicated that specific fiscal adjustment measures will be presented in the second half of November, once the President returns from his international agenda to address the current economic landscape. ## Public Security Initiatives The government is prioritizing a constitutional amendment to expand the Union's role in public safety, which was recently approved by the Senate. Although the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Public Security was a campaign promise, it currently ranks low as a voter priority, with only 2% identifying it as a top concern. ## Approval Ratings Comparison President Lula begins his fourth term with a 48% approval rating and a 44% disapproval rating. This net positive balance of four points is the lowest among re-elected presidents in the series, trailing significantly behind his own 2006 record of 38 points and Dilma Rousseff’s 18 points recorded at the end of 2014. ## Congressional Conflict Outlook Approximately 70% of voters anticipate increased friction between the executive branch and the new Congress compared to the previous year. This expectation is rooted in the fact that right-wing parties hold a majority in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, creating a challenging environment for the government's legislative agenda starting in 2027. ## Political Landscape Summary Despite the anticipated legislative gridlock, 94% of respondents express hope that the administration will succeed. The government's first major test will occur on February 1, when both houses of Congress elect their presidents, determining the political alliances that will shape the implementation of the administration's core economic and social policy objectives. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2026/11/quaest-fim-da-6x1-e-isencao-da-cesta-basica-lideram-prioridades-de-eleitores-para-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._