Right-wing wave in Brazil's Congress boosts Bolsonaro camp ahead of presidential runoff
EWZ•Bolsonaro's Liberal Party won the largest single-party representation in both chambers of Brazil's Congress, taking 28 Senate seats and a projected 121 lower-house seats. Combined with other center-to-right parties, it is projected to hold a working majority in the next Congress as Bolsonaro advances to a presidential runoff against Lula on October 25.
1. PL gains in Congress
Brazil's right-wing Liberal Party (PL), home to Senator Flavio Bolsonaro's presidential bid, emerged as the biggest winner in congressional elections held alongside the presidential vote. It increased its Senate representation from 15 to 28 seats, its strongest result for a party since the constitution was enacted in the late 1980s, and was projected to win 121 lower-house seats, up from 98.
2. Majority and governance
Combined with other center-to-right parties and blocs, the Bolsonaro agenda is projected to have a working majority in the next Congress, with close to 250 lower-house seats and more than 30 Senate seats. The Senate bloc may approach the 54 votes needed to impeach Supreme Court justices who convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro. The Workers Party maintained nine Senate seats, while a three-party bloc led by it was projected to win 88 lower-house seats, up from 82.
3. Challenges for Lula
Analysts said the next Congress could make governance a major challenge for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva if he wins the runoff. Congress has overturned dozens of Lula's vetoes since he returned to office in January 2023, and in April rejected his Supreme Court nominee.
