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Brazil in Focus

Newsletter on current issues of Brazilian politics

Publications

Brazil in Focus 02/2026

The PSD and the difficult thesis of the “third way” / Electoral governance and the Brazilian model / The return of Congress and the agenda for 2026

Download and read the three articles that make up the February edition of the Brasil em Foco series for free. The first article analyzes the difficulty of consolidating a “third way” in the 2026 elections, highlighting Gilberto Kassab's PSD. Although the party has strength at the state and municipal levels, it faces challenges in terms of national unity, candidate selection, and competition in the face of the consolidated polarization between the PT and PL. The second article explains electoral governance as a set of rules and institutions that regulate elections. It highlights the Brazilian model, Independent-Specialized, with the TSE and TREs autonomous from the Executive. Created in the 1930s to combat fraud, it concentrates administrative and judicial functions, but faces criticism for accumulating broad powers. The text that closes this edition analyzes the 2026 legislative agenda, marked by reduced time due to holidays, the World Cup, and elections. It highlights priority issues such as public safety, artificial intelligence, taxation of data centers, and fiscal balance. Congress will need to demonstrate maturity and commitment in the face of political, economic, and institutional challenges.

March 3, 2026
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 01/2026

When attacks on democracy become a political issue / Public spending and fiscal responsibility: the challenge of balance /Opacity and democracy in the Brazilian socio-legal context

The January edition of the Brasil em Foco series brings together reflections on the contemporary challenges of democracy and public management in Brazil. Humberto Dantas analyzes the aftermath of the January 8, 2023 attack and warns of the risk of turning the defense of democracy into an ideological agenda, concluding that the pluralistic pact has not yet been consolidated in the face of persistent political conflict. Gustavo Andrey Lopes de Almeida Fernandes and Marco Antonio Carvalho Teixeira discuss the structural impasse of public accounts, showing how budgetary constraints limit choices and advocating for a profound reform that reconciles fiscal responsibility with effective results. Fernanda Paes Leme examines institutional and digital opacity, highlighting how misinformation and algorithms challenge transparency and citizen participation, concluding that a robust informational democracy is necessary.

January 29, 2026
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 12/2025

2026 Elections: Focus on Senators / International politics and its importance in the 2026 Elections

The December edition of the Brasil em Foco series features two articles dedicated to the 2026 elections: the first, by Humberto Dantas, analyzes the vote for senator and its specificities, and the second, written by Leandro Gavião, analyzes the importance of international politics in the Brazilian electoral scenario. The “Brasil em Foco” series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda, in order to contribute to democratic debate.

December 9, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 11/2025

Less than a year until the elections: what's coming in 2026? / From Rio-92 to COP30: we continue to try to combat the climate crisis / Public Security Constitutional Amendment Proposal and the control of organized crime in Brazil

The new edition of the Brasil em Foco series features three articles on the following topics: prospects for the 2026 elections, an assessment of the decisions made at COP30, and an article on the Public Security Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC). Download it for free. The Brasil em Foco series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda in order to contribute to democratic debate. The “Brasil em Foco” series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda, in order to contribute to democratic debate.

December 4, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 10/2025

The income tax exemption – what a victory! / After disagreements, Lula and Trump move closer together / Society mobilizes against congressional setbacks

Download the October edition of the Brasil em Foco series for free, featuring three articles on the following topics: the vote on income tax exemption for those earning up to five thousand reais, the rapprochement between Lula da Silva and Donald Trump, and the impact of civil society pressure on votes in the National Congress.

October 28, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 09/2025

One year to go: what we know about the presidential elections / The delicate balance between the federal budget and social programs / Brazil and India

In September, the Brazil in Focus series features articles on the following topics: the latest polls on voting intentions for president, the relationship between the federal budget and the government's social programs, and a reflection on trade relations between Brazil and India in the current economic climate. The “Brasil em Foco” series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda, in order to contribute to democratic debate.

September 29, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 08/2025

Intense second semester in the National Congress / Brazilian Foreign Policy / Local politics and the strengthening of democratic institutions

The new edition of the Brazil in Focus series features articles dedicated to the following topics: Congress' agenda for the second half of the year, a comparison between Brazil's foreign policies during the Vargas and Lula III eras, and a reflection on local politics and its importance for strengthening democratic institutions. The “Brasil em Foco” series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda, in order to contribute to democratic debate.

August 29, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 07/2025

About IOF, narratives, and reversed roles / The climate crisis and the crossroads of a just transition: what future does Brazil want? / The tariffs imposed by Trump on Brazil

The July edition of the Brasil em Foco series features three articles on the following topics: the controversies surrounding the IOF tax, oil exploration in the Equatorial Margin, and the tariffs imposed by Trump on Brazil. The Brasil em Foco series aims to publish monthly articles with analyses of the main topics on the political agenda, in order to contribute to democratic debate.

July 31, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 06/2025

And we're off for another round of political reforms / Regulated Carbon Market: opportunities for international cooperation for a Green Transition in Brazil

In June, the Brasil em Foco series features two articles: the first on the subject of political reforms, and the second on Law 15.042/2024, which creates the Brazilian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System (SBCE), as well as the possible opportunities involved. The Brasil em Foco series aims to publish monthly articles analyzing the main issues on the political scene, in order to contribute to the democratic debate.

July 1, 2025
Brasil em Foco

Brazil in Focus 05/2025

Explanations for the increase in the total number of federal deputies in Brazil / Do we need a new Civil Code? / Pope Leo XIV and the Church's Social Doctrine

The May edition of the Brasil em Foco series features three articles on the following topics: the increase in the number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the new Civil Code, and Pope Leo XIV and the Church's Social Doctrine. The Brasil em Foco series aims to publish monthly articles analyzing the main issues on the political scene, in order to contribute to the democratic debate.

May 28, 2025
Brasil em Foco

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About this series

Brazil in Focus is a periodic publication that seeks to analyze in a more succinct way the central themes of Brazilian politics. Since 2020,  the bulletins have been shorter and published monthly, maintaining the political scientist, professor Humberto Dantas, as its principal author and organizer.

Reinaldo Themoteo

Reinaldo Themoteo KAS
Editor
Reinaldo.Themoteo@kas.de +55 21 2220 5441 +55 21 2220 5448