Brasilia, Aug. 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre have exchanged public compliments as a sign of reconciliation following months of political tension.
The two travelled together on Monday to Amapá, Alcolumbre's home state, to attend the announcement of an oil discovery by Petrobras in the Foz do Amazonas region, visiting the state-owned oil company's drill ship together.
The dispute began after Alcolumbre led, in April, the biggest defeat of Lula da Silva's third term of office: the National Congress's rejection of the President's nominee for the post of judge at the Federal Supreme Court.
Such a defeat had not occurred in Brazilian politics for 132 years, which triggered a crisis in political coordination between the Planalto Palace and the President of the Senate.
In recent days, Lula and Alcolumbre have resumed dialogue and signalled a reconciliation, with the President of the Senate moving forward with key campaign promises made by the President, such as proposals to reduce the working week and the Constitutional Amendment (PEC) on Public Security, as well as the legal framework for critical minerals and rare earths.
Last week, Alcolumbre ordered that the drafts be sent to the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) in the Federal Senate.
With an eight-year tenure as a senator, Alcolumbre is not standing in this year's general election, but the local press believes he has re-established closer ties with the Planalto in search of support for his re-election as Senate President in 2027.
Alcolumbre is a member of União Brasil, a movement belonging to the so-called «Centrão», an informal coalition of parties that coordinate the exchange of posts, resources and power in Congress.
He was one of the key figures in isolating Senator and presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) from the centrist parties, by ensuring that União Brasil declared its neutrality in the race for the Planalto Palace.
Since taking office as Senate President, Davi Alcolumbre has consistently used his political influence to pressure the Lula government to support oil exploration at the mouth of the Amazon.
During his first public engagement with Lula since the two re-established ties, Davi said that the President had stood up to «everything and everyone to defend» the project, and that «recognition is justice».
«We must, once and for all, recognise in Brazil those who have championed causes and who have often been challenged or even criticised,» he declared, referring to Lula.
Lula later said that the President of the Senate «took a very important step for Brazil» last week by submitting «three bills of vital importance» to the country.
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Lusa
