Part 4/7:
The Left, scrambling to make sense of Nogueira's politically adept maneuvering, expressed frustration. They anticipated a boost in tax revenue, betting on increased collections from the wealthy. Their narrative aimed to depict the legislative assembly as impediments to Lula's intentions. The expectation was that without congressional support, Lula could deflect responsibility and bolster his position leading into the 2026 election.
In essence, Lula sought to present himself as a champion of the people: a president advocating for tax relief who was thwarted by a right-leaning Congress. However, Nogueira's legislative play turned the tables, forcing the obligation back to Lula's court and leaving him with the politically perilous option of vetoing the exemption.