Brazil’s House and Senate elected new leaders on Saturday, with both pledging to maintain independence from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during their two-year terms—the final stretch of Lula’s presidency.
Representative Hugo Motta was elected speaker of the House, while Davi Alcolumbre secured the Senate presidency. Their victories, while expected, could pose challenges for Lula’s leftist government, as his approval ratings dip below 50% for the first time since taking office in 2023.
Both leaders have gained support from conservatives and liberals, largely by advocating for greater Congressional control over federal spending. Currently, lawmakers control nearly a quarter of Brazil’s federal budget, a share that has significantly expanded over the past decade.
Alcolumbre acknowledged that tensions over earmarked funds remain a key issue, but he emphasized the need to "preserve the Senate’s independence." Meanwhile, Motta vowed to strengthen the House’s autonomy, stating that Congress must maintain a balanced relationship with other branches of government.
Despite concerns over his declining approval ratings and fiscal policies, Lula assured reporters ahead of the election that he would not interfere in the Congressional vote.
Lula is scheduled to meet with Motta and Alcolumbre next week. His administration’s priority includes pushing legislation to exempt Brazilians earning under 5,000 reais ($850) from income taxes, a policy that will require broad Congressional backing.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate but not to surrender, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday as details emerged in media reports of a U.S. proposal for a deal which would see Ukraine give up almost all territory currently occupied by Russia.
The chief architect of China's lunar exploration programme has accused Washington of interfering in Beijing's space diplomacy efforts with international partners.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate but not to surrender, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday as details emerged in media reports of a U.S. proposal for a deal which would see Ukraine give up almost all territory currently occupied by Russia.
The chief architect of China's lunar exploration programme has accused Washington of interfering in Beijing's space diplomacy efforts with international partners.
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has struck Türkiye, with its epicenter located in the Silivri district of Istanbul, according to the country’s disaster management agency, AFAD.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate but not to surrender, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday as details emerged in media reports of a U.S. proposal for a deal which would see Ukraine give up almost all territory currently occupied by Russia.
The chief architect of China's lunar exploration programme has accused Washington of interfering in Beijing's space diplomacy efforts with international partners.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
The “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China” was signed in Beijing on April 23 during the state visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to China.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate but not to surrender, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday as details emerged in media reports of a U.S. proposal for a deal which would see Ukraine give up almost all territory currently occupied by Russia.
The chief architect of China's lunar exploration programme has accused Washington of interfering in Beijing's space diplomacy efforts with international partners.
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has struck Türkiye, with its epicenter located in the Silivri district of Istanbul, according to the country’s disaster management agency, AFAD.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
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