In early May, a sense of accomplishment filled a banquet in Beijing, where Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated a diplomatic win: accompanying businessmen claimed they had secured substantial investments while Lula regained international recognition alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During the event, Brazilian first lady Rosângela da Silva, also known as Janja, unexpectedly spoke up. She addressed Xi, expressing concerns about the Chinese social media giant TikTok, alleging that its algorithm favors right-wing users. Reports indicate that Xi responded to her comments, which later surfaced in the Brazilian media.
Lula’s administration is currently facing public discontent, which has tarnished his image as the top contender for re-election in the upcoming year. Some analysts, including members of his government, partially attribute this decline in popularity to Janja’s perceived intrusion into what was traditionally a ceremonial role.
Janja, a 58-year-old sociologist, has faced criticism for various controversial remarks, including insulting Elon Musk, making insensitive remarks about a Bolsonaro supporter’s suicide, and offering advice to the president during the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasilia. Despite the backlash, she maintains that she will continue to speak out in the interest of the public.
A recent Datafolha survey released on June 12 revealed that 36% of Brazilians believe the first lady’s actions have been detrimental to the government, while only 14% view them positively. This marked the first time the pollster measured public sentiment towards the first lady’s performance.
The same poll indicated that Lula’s job disapproval rating has risen to 40%, an increase of eight percentage points from October 2024. In response to concerns, Brazil’s presidency released a statement to The Associated Press on June 20, affirming that Janja complies with the guidelines set by the solicitor-general’s office and utilizes her public visibility and professional experience to address significant social issues and matters of public concern.
Under the guidelines outlined by the solicitor-general’s office, the president’s spouse primarily assumes a symbolic and representative role in social, cultural, ceremonial, political, or diplomatic capacities on behalf of the president. However, critics argue that this position does not grant her the authority to speak on behalf of the government.
Reports from Brazilian media suggest that government officials, lawmakers, and ardent leftist supporters have expressed reservations about Janja’s role, viewing her more as a hindrance than an asset. These concerns have escalated following the incident in China, despite Lula’s public support for his wife’s outspokenness.
Janja’s proactive involvement and vocal presence have sparked a debate among supporters and critics. While some believe she revitalizes Lula’s image, others caution against her exceeding the boundaries of her role, which might reflect negatively on the president.
In a podcast interview with Folha de S. Paulo, Janja emphasized her intelligence and common sense, asserting that she is mindful of her limitations and acts responsibly. Although she expressed regret for using profanity against Elon Musk in 2024, she remains firm in her resolve to speak her mind and attend public events alongside her husband.
As discussions surrounding Janja’s public engagements persist, adversaries of Lula anticipate her continued visibility. Critics, such as right-wing lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira, argue that issues like social media regulation should be addressed by the Congress rather than debated by the first lady with foreign leaders like Xi.
Despite the controversies, Janja is slated to play a prominent role as a gracious hostess at the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio on July 6-7, a position that Lula is unlikely to oppose. In response to criticism, Lula reaffirmed his support for Janja’s autonomy, stating that she will express her opinions freely and engage in activities of her choosing.