Brazil in June 2026: the most important developments in politics
In June 2026 Brazilian politics was dominated by the trial of Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The Supreme Court opened the case on June 16, on charges linked to his seeking US sanctions, and on June 17 it convicted him of lobbying the United States to intervene in his father's legal troubles. The ruling was seen as a boost for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government. Eduardo Bolsonaro then asked President Donald Trump to reinstate sanctions against Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Separately, a judge was set to decide whether Jair Bolsonaro would face house arrest or prison, and he was questioned at home about a seized weapon.
Relations with Washington were a second theme. Lula called a Bolsonaro ally a traitor over US tariffs, and Brazil's foreign minister was reported to be considering a meeting with a Trump envoy to avert new tariffs. At the G7 summit in France Lula avoided a bilateral meeting with Trump. On June 11 Lula and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jointly defended non-intervention as the US pressured Colombia and Cuba. On June 18 Lula warned Trump against meddling in Brazil's election.
The presidential race shaped the rest of the month. Lula's main rival is Flávio Bolsonaro, and Lula ordered an investigation into Flávio's ties with businessman Vorcaro and digital influencers. A CNT/MDA poll on June 16 showed Lula ahead 49% to 37% in a runoff, but after the corruption probe reached his Senate leader Jaques Wagner, where cash was found at addresses linked to him, the lead narrowed. A poll reported on June 29 showed the two tied. Lula also faced a campaign-related fine and an opposition court challenge over advertising spending. Congress pushed back with budget and tax changes.
The Bolsonaro family was divided. Michelle Bolsonaro publicly criticized Flávio on June 24 and on June 30 stepped down from her party role. On June 29 Flávio met Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires to seek his backing.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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