Politics Ledger · Latin America
Brazil
Electoral democracyPresidential republicFederal
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In charge
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President
Time in power
3.8 yrs
since 2023
Government seats
37%
minority
Next national vote
2030-10
General
Governance score
60/100
composite of five indices
Brazil moved from Portuguese colony to independent empire, oligarchic republic, Vargas's corporatist state, military dictatorship and, since 1985, a sprawling multiparty democracy that has survived two impeachments and an attempted insurrection.
Leadership
Who Governs Brazil
Head of state
Holds executive powerLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President · Workers' Party (PT)
Since 1 January 2023 · 3.8 years
Age 81 (born 1945)ManRoute to power: won a popular election
Ruling coalition
PT-led broad front with MDB, PSD, PSB and PDT, negotiating case by case with the "Centrão"
Main opposition
Liberal Party (PL), the Bolsonaro movement
Last national election
25 October 2026
General (presidential runoff)
Lula won a fourth term with 51.8% against Flávio Bolsonaro (48.2%), after trailing in the first round on 4 October.
Next national election
By October 2030
General
Lula's new term begins 5 January 2027 under the revised inauguration date.
Recent changes (last 12 months)
Parliament
Chamber of Deputies
Seat distribution (Outgoing 2023-27 legislature, approximate bench sizes; new Congress sits Feb 2027), ordered from economic left to right.
| Party | Ideology | Seats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Party (PL) | Bolsonarism, Right-wing populism | 88 | opposition |
| Workers' Party (PT) | Social democracy, Lulism | 68 | governing |
| Brazil Union (União) | Conservatism, Centrão | 59 | opposition |
| Progressistas (PP) | Conservatism, Centrão | 50 | opposition |
| Social Democratic Party (PSD) | Centrism | 45 | coalition |
| Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) | Centrism, Catch-all | 44 | coalition |
| Republicanos (REP) | Evangelical conservatism | 44 | opposition |
| Others (OTH) | Various | 42 | opposition |
| Democratic Labour Party (PDT) | Labourism | 18 | coalition |
| Podemos (PODE) | Centre-right | 15 | opposition |
| Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) | Social democracy | 14 | coalition |
| Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) | Democratic socialism | 13 | confidence |
| Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) | Liberalism | 13 | opposition |
Ideology
Party Landscape
Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.
Institutions
The System
- Official name
- Federative Republic of Brazil
- Capital
- Brasília
- Population
- 212 million
- Statehood
- Independence 1822; republic 1889; current Constitution 1988
- System
- Presidential republic
- Structure
- Federal
- Current constitution
- 1988
- Legislature
- National Congress
- Lower / sole chamber
- Chamber of Deputies (513 seats)
- Upper chamber
- Federal Senate (81)
- Electoral system
- Two-round presidential vote; open-list proportional representation by state for the Chamber.
- Term limits
- President: two consecutive four-year terms; may return after a break.
Sources
- Câmara dos Deputados
- TSE
- Reuters, 26 Oct 2026
- EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)
Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.
Data as of 2026-10-29.