Lula Juices Stimulus Pipeline in Defiance of Brazil’s High Rates

When President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s senior officials convene on Mondays to discuss Brazil’s most pressing government business, one rule is clear: keep quiet if you’re not advocating for stimulus.

The leftist leader has revived the high-level coordination meetings that, during his first presidency, helped keep his administration focused on reining in budget deficits even as it expanded social welfare.

This time, as Lula seeks another term in October, aides familiar with the matter say fiscal restraint has taken a back seat as discussions center almost exclusively on how to spur growth, boost incomes and improve his standing ...