For the past week, the streets of Brazil — from the impoverished towns of the Northeast to the rich metropolises of the Southeast — have turned into a sea of red, with millions of supporters of President Lula da Silva walking in his support ahead of the October 25 presidential runoff.
Lula announced another proposal: a constitutional amendment to introduce free public transport on weekends in every Brazilian city. The demonstrators, mostly young students and workers, are rallying around issues that directly affect their lives. Rio-based commentator Miguel do Rosário sees the scale of the mobilisation as a desire for a different future. Rosário. “Free rides on weekends so you can go out and enjoy time with your family. The people will be happy, and members of Congress will be putting their earmarked funds to good use,” Mr.
On Thursday (October 15, 2026), Mr. Lula said on Friday (October 15, 2026).
“The streets have sent a clear message: young Brazilians want to dream, and they are proposing an alliance with the future to the president,” says Mr.
Amid a tough contest, Mr. Lula is trying to turn his street power into concrete policy changes. “Ending the six-day schedule means more time to rest, spend time with family, watch children grow up, take care of oneself and enjoy life. Those who work so hard to build Brazil also deserve time to live. This is a victory for workers,” Mr. Lula is seeking to leave a lasting legacy through measures aimed at improving the daily lives of ordinary Brazilians. His recent policy decisions, including the end of the six-day work schedule, ban on online betting, expansion of the direct cash transfer scheme and reforms affecting micro-entrepreneurs, have already set the agenda for the next administration – and for Brazil in the long term.
On Thursday (October 15, 2026), the Brazilian Senate approved a bill that ended the six-day work schedule, reduced the maximum working week to 40 hours and guaranteed two days of paid rest each week. Whatever the outcome on October 25, Mr.
Lula said after the Senate approved his pet project.
While Mr. Lula is campaigning on expanding workers’ rights and social protections, Mr. Flávio is proposing a sweeping constitutional overhaul that could reshape Brazil’s institutions. But critics see it as a euphemism for doing away with existing checks and balances. Ana Laura Barbosa, a law professor in São Paulo, questioned his motive. “I do not see the need for constitutional changes of this kind at the present time. Barbosa, challenging Mr. Meanwhile, Mr. Lula’s rallies have helped tighten a race that, after the first round, seemed to be tilting towards Mr. Flávio. That advantage has now evaporated, with the latest polls suggesting that the two candidates are in a technical tie.
He has said he would use the conservative Congress elected on October 4 to change the Constitution and “redemocratise” the country. Changing the Constitution is something drastic, something that needs to be thought through, discussed and carefully considered,” said Prof. Flávio’s claim that Brazil needed to be “redemocratised”.
The senator finished more than two percentage points ahead of the President, while earlier opinion polls had shown him leading by around four points.
