Centrão Pushes Electoral Reform to Counter PL's Rising Power Ahead of New Legislature

The Centrão coalition, comprising ten political parties, is actively orchestrating a significant political reform aimed at reshaping Brazil's electoral system before the new National Congress is installed in early November. This move is largely a strategic response to the dramatic growth of the Partido Liberal (PL), which has secured an unprecedented 121 seats in the Chamber of Deputies — its largest representation since 1990.

The current proportional open-list system favors candidates with high vote counts, such as Nikolas Ferreira and Lucas Pavanato, who each received over three million votes, significantly boosting the PL's influence. Concerned by the erosion of their traditional space, Centrão parties seek to diminish this advantage by altering how votes translate into seats.

Two main alternatives are under consideration: the "distritão" system, where candidates are elected individually in their districts; and a mixed district system combining votes for parties and individual candidates. Both options require approval via a constitutional amendment, underscoring the complexity and urgency of the reform.

Hugo Motta, Speaker of the Chamber, expressed the necessity for Centrão parties to adapt to the evolving political scenario, noting that traditional tools such as distribution of positions and funding allocations are insufficient to preserve their influence. Efforts are underway to unify the coalition’s stance and garner support from left-wing parties, aiming for legislative approval before the new deputies take office.

This planned reform reflects the larger struggle within Brazil’s political landscape, where the rise of the right-wing PL is prompting established centrist groups to recalibrate power dynamics across the National Congress.