Lula Tries to Draft Key Allies for 2026 Elections, But Faces Resistance

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has extended invitations to federal deputy Adriana Accorsi and Goiânia city councilwoman Aava Santiago to join the 2026 election ticket. Lula proposed Accorsi as a candidate for the governorship of Goiás and Santiago for one of the state's two Senate seats. However, both politicians have expressed reluctance to accept these proposals.

“

The president expressed that his desire was for Adriana Accorsi and I to be on the majority ticket. He said this would be the ticket he considers ideal because it delivers novelty, vivacity, reach, work, muscle, and oxygen.

The President met with Accorsi and Santiago in Brasília, emphasizing his desire for them to be part of the "majority ticket." He described this ideal ticket as one that "delivers novelty, vivacity, reach, work, muscle, and oxygen" to the political landscape. Lula's push for Accorsi stems from her performance in the 2024 Goiânia mayoral election, where she secured 168,000 votes, falling just 22,000 short of a second-round runoff.

Despite the President's encouragement, Santiago stated her intention to proceed with her pre-candidacy for the Chamber of Deputies. She explained that the PSB party in Goiás relies on her candidacy to elect deputies, citing a commitment to Vice President Alckmin to expand Lula's support base. "At this moment, it is not possible for the PSB of Goiás to elect deputies without my candidacy," Santiago told Estadão/Broadcast.

“

I made a commitment with Vice President Alckmin to expand President Lula's bench and deliver deputies for the PSB. So, at this moment, it is not possible for the PSB of Goiás to elect deputies without my candidacy.

Accorsi's potential candidacy for governor had previously been considered unlikely by PT leadership. Her reluctance mirrors that of Marília Campos, a former mayor of Contagem, who also declined Lula's invitation to run for Senate in Minas Gerais. The meeting also included PT national president Edinho Silva and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. Santiago later posted on Instagram that the meeting focused on Goiás's political future and reaffirmed her belief in women leading the country forward.

“

Two hours after much talk, analysis, construction, and learning, I leave this meeting convinced that it is we, the women, who will once again lead this country on the right path.