Brazil’s Liberal Party (PL) has endorsed opposition leader Rogério Marinho for president of the Senate, setting up a contest scheduled for February 1, 2027. The party is expected to hold 29 of the chamber’s 81 seats in the next legislature, and Marinho also has the backing of the Novo party’s three elected senators.
Marinho’s candidacy is not the only one on the right. Senator Tereza Cristina of the Progressistas (PP) is also seeking the post, as is incumbent Senate President Davi Alcolumbre of União Brasil, who is running for re-election. Marinho said he and Cristina had agreed not to compete against each other in the end, with one expected to withdraw in January so the other can unite opposition to Alcolumbre. He described her as a partner and said she had every right to pursue her candidacy.
Thirty-three senators attended the meeting in Brasília where the PL announced its choice. Marinho said he believed he could secure more than 40 votes. He also said he had support within the PP and Republicanos, while allies argue that the PL’s larger delegation gives him an advantage over Cristina, whose party is set to have six seats. Cristina was described as an ally at the meeting, rather than a rival.
In his remarks, Marinho criticized President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government and called for amnesty for people convicted over the January 8 attacks. He also praised Flávio Bolsonaro, saying the defeated presidential candidate had left for the United States because Brazil lacked an impartial justice system. Flávio, who is in the US, has backed Marinho’s Senate bid.
Marinho said impeachment of Supreme Court justices would not be his sole priority, but pledged not to remain silent if a justice committed an impeachable offense. He also criticized Alcolumbre and said that, if elected, he would consult senators rather than impose decisions or use coercion.
The Senate presidency vote is secret. Marinho said open voting was “recommendable and necessary” and that he would consider how it could be achieved. Some opposition senators have called for lawmakers to show their ballots before casting them, arguing that public scrutiny could discourage right-wing senators from voting privately for Alcolumbre.
The contest has also exposed tensions between Marinho’s supporters and Cristina’s camp. On Tuesday, senators from her party objected to his launch and to banners and social media posts, reportedly from Bolsonaro supporters, urging her to drop her bid. The banners accused her of obstructing the opposition.
Alcolumbre is seeking support from both the Lula government and the opposition. His effort has included offering to help arrange a pardon or amnesty for Jair Bolsonaro, a proposal rejected by Bolsonaro-aligned senators. A federation formed by the PP and União Brasil has declared support for Alcolumbre’s re-election, although senators from both parties were not consulted beforehand and avoided publicly endorsing the statement. Cristina is seeking backing from women in the Senate, agribusiness and centrist politicians.
Sources: Folha Poder.