Politics · Brazil · 2 hrs ago
Lula targets young and low-income voters with financial benefits
Analyst Thais Herédia says Lula is trying to win back young and low-income voters with financial benefits.
She says an ironic label, “CEO de MEI,” used by some on the left to mock right-leaning voters who are individual microentrepreneurs, alienated some people Lula wants to reach.
The government has announced debt relief and a money transfer for microentrepreneurs and promised to expand the Pé-de-Meia program to university students.
Herédia says Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign is worried about his appeal to young voters and Lula’s ability to offer new economic proposals.
She links those concerns to recent youth mobilizations and the importance of household finances in the campaign.
Herédia says Lula’s approach could help rebuild support, but she also criticized the way the measures are being pursued, raising concerns about election law and institutional norms.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking support from young and low-income voters with announcements of financial benefits.
The measures include debt forgiveness for individual micro-entrepreneurs, a money transfer and a proposal to expand the Pé-de-Meia program to university students.
CNN Brasil analyst Thais Herédia said Lula is using benefits that directly affect household budgets amid communication difficulties.
Herédia said Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign is concerned about the candidate’s support among young voters and Lula’s economic proposals.
She also said Lula’s approach could raise questions about electoral law, institutional norms and moral hazard.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking support from young and low-income voters; Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign is monitoring the contest.
- What
- Lula has announced financial benefits, including debt forgiveness for individual micro-entrepreneurs and a proposed expansion of Pé-de-Meia for university students.
- When
- The report was published on October 13, 2026; it refers to recent announcements and weekend mobilizations.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Analyst Thais Herédia said Lula is trying to regain support among low-income voters and appeal to young people, while addressing concerns about household finances.
Lula’s campaign
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Youth vote
Lula’s campaign
Lula is seeking to attract young voters with economic proposals and initiatives for university students.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Herédia said Bolsonaro’s campaign is concerned about its support among young voters.
Economic strategy
Lula’s campaign
Lula is using financial measures to connect with voters’ household budgets.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Herédia said Bolsonaro’s campaign is watching for new economic proposals from Lula.
Lula announced debt forgiveness for individual micro-entrepreneurs with a money transfer and promised to expand Pé-de-Meia to university students.
Herédia said young people organized mobilizations over the weekend.
CNN Brasil published Herédia’s analysis of the campaigns’ efforts to attract young and low-income voters.
- Analyst
- Thais Herédia
- Debt relief target
- Individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs)
- Proposed expansion
- Pé-de-Meia for university students
- Rival candidate
- Senator Flávio Bolsonaro
- Publication date
- October 13, 2026
What people are saying
Já que ele não consegue mudar a mensagem, ele vai pelo bolso
Flávio vai mal entre os jovens, que é o voto da juventude
É o Lula tentando desfazer aquela sátira que a esquerda fez do CEO de MEI
às favas com a liturgia, com o risco moral, e sai distribuindo dinheiro e agradando os jovens