Brazil's Senate has lifted bank secrecy protections on Fabio Luis Lula da Silva, son of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a widening probe into alleged fraud at the national pension system. Senate chief Davi Alcolumbre upheld the committee's vote despite objections from Lula's Workers' Party, which argued the count was incorrect.

The special congressional committee is investigating claims that billions of reais were illegally deducted from retiree accounts at the INSS, Brazil's pension institute. Federal Police are examining whether 'Lulinha,' as the president's son is known, served as a silent partner to a lobbyist accused of facilitating improper pension deductions. Lulinha's legal team has denied any connection to the scandal.

The investigation poses fresh political risks for Lula ahead of Brazil's October presidential election. While the president himself faces no allegations, the focus on his son revives memories of Lula's 2017 graft conviction, which was later annulled after he spent 580 days in prison. The Workers' Party remains vulnerable to corruption concerns despite Lula's pledge to support full investigations into the INSS scandal.