Politics & Government Guide in Brazil

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Brazil operates as a federal republic with a presidential system under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva since 2023. The political landscape shows slight democratic improvements amid a fragmented Congress dominated by center-right parties. Recent judicial rulings have reinforced civilian control over the military.

Government Type

Federal Republic

Legal System

Civil law system

Head of State

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva(since 2023)

Head of Government

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva(Partido dos Trabalhadores)since 2023

Legislature

Type:bicameral

Upper House:Federal Senate (81 seats)

Lower House:Chamber of Deputies (513 seats)

Major Political Parties

Partido Liberal(PL)

Right-wing

99 seats

Partido dos Trabalhadores(PT)

Left-wing

68 seats

União Brasil(UNIÃO)

Center-right

59 seats

Progressistas(PP)

Center-right

50 seats

Voting Rights

Compulsory for citizens aged 18-70, optional for 16-17 and over 70

Recent Developments

Supreme Court ruled in April 2024 that armed forces cannot act as moderating power
Creation of Ministry of Women in 2023 to advance gender equality policies
Stabilization of political situation following Bolsonaro era threats to democracy

Voting Age16

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1988

Federal26