Brazil’s right has already changed the balance of power

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Brazil’s conservative bloc, led by the Bolsonaro family’s political network, has already altered the country’s governing balance even before the presidential runoff. In the October 4 general election, Flavio Bolsonaro finished the first round of the presidential race just behind President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, while the Liberal Party (PL) also expanded its strength in Congress, especially in the Chamber of Deputies. That legislative shift, the article argues, gives the right more leverage regardless of who wins the presidency.

The piece says the PL won 121 of 513 lower-house seats, up from 97, while Lula’s Workers’ Party-led bloc rose only modestly. It also notes that many of the newly elected Bolsonaro-aligned lawmakers are experienced politicians rather than newcomers, underscoring how the right’s gains reflect a broader reorganization of existing political forces. The article places this in the context of Brazil’s coalition-driven system, where presidents typically need support from parties outside their own camp to govern.

Beyond Congress, the report says the right’s gains could affect relations with the Supreme Court, particularly around Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case that led to Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction. Bolsonaro allies in the Senate have pledged to target the court’s powers, making judicial independence another flashpoint.

The article also frames the campaign as a contest over crime, economic frustration and democracy. Lula has pointed to lower unemployment and rising wages, while Flavio Bolsonaro has emphasized tougher security policies and public anger over crime, showing that the right’s rise is not only electoral but also ideological.