Brazil in January 2026: the most important developments in politics
Brazil's politics in January 2026 were dominated by positioning on the right ahead of the coming elections. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas canceled and then rescheduled a visit to imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, and reaffirmed that he intends to run for re-election while facing pressure to back Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president's son. Flávio Bolsonaro reaffirmed his presidential candidacy and said he was embarrassed by infighting on the right. Rogério Marinho dropped his bid for governor of Rio Grande do Norte to support him. On the other side, the Workers' Party sought a slate of four of Lula's ministers to challenge Tarcísio in São Paulo, and one of its leaders sued Flávio Bolsonaro over a manipulated video about Lula. By the end of the month, opposition figures were discussing alliances and strategy.
Lula's own position was shaped by several matters. He vetoed a bill passed by Congress that would have shortened prison sentences and applied to Bolsonaro's conviction; the bill returned to lawmakers, who can still override the veto. Bolsonaro was moved to a roomier cell in a new prison facility on a judge's order, and a faction of the court pushed for house arrest. Lula faced criticism over security failures and a visa policy and remained ahead in polls. At month's end his government announced political and economic team changes.
Abroad, the trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc reached its signing in mid-January, and Argentina's President Javier Milei reacted coolly to Lula's praise at the ceremony. On 21 January the European Parliament referred the deal to the European Court of Justice, halting its ratification, while Mercosur pushed to ratify it regardless. Lula consulted allies about President Donald Trump's proposed peace council and discussed Gaza with the Palestinian Authority. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira de Amorim criticized the proposal, and Lula said Trump wants to 'own the UN' and create a new organization. Lula also spoke by phone with Xi Jinping, who urged closer cooperation among Global South countries.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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