DEMOCRACY, RIGHT-WING PARTIES AND “LULA 3”: the 2022 election and its consequences

This article deals with the developments of the 2022 election. Initially, it argues that, in a second term, Bolsonaro could increase his power of attraction over the center and right-wing parties in Congress to then advance on the justice bodies, putting Brazilian democracy at risk. It then shows that Lula’s victory did not prevent the right-wing parties from maintaining a growth trajectory, consolidating a majority position in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate, and analyzes the reasons for this. Based on this growth of the right and on the changes in the relationship between the Executive and Legislative powers verified in recent years, it is argued that Lula’s task will be more difficult than the one started 20 years ago. The government coalition’s performance in the most important votes held in 2023 is evidence in this regard and signals the limits of “Lula 3”.

2022 election; Democracy; Lula; Governing coalition; Brazil