Leonardo Barreto

Leonardo Barreto holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Brasília and is a director at consulting cabinet Vector Análise.

lira lula budget earmarks

Budget earmarks challenge Brazil’s historic institutional balance

Budgetary earmarks have become a cornerstone of Brazilian politics and the way governments interact with Congress

2 months ago • Leonardo Barreto

politics President Lula with congressional leaders. Photo: Gabriela Biló/Folhapress

The factors that truly drive the Brazilian political system

Democratization, parliamentarism, and judicialism are the forces that dictate political developments in Brazil, not the main characters themselves

3 months ago • Leonardo Barreto

tax reform congress

Tax reform is back – but can it be passed in these turbulent times?

House Speaker Arthur Lira has committed to passing tax reform legislation. But the political scenario is too volatile to predict a positive outcome at this stage

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto

bolsonaro political crisis

Bolsonaro is scrambling on shaky ground

After a major cabinet reshuffle, President Jair Bolsonaro should manage to find some political stability. However, it will come at a price

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto

Lula is the least of Bolsonaro problems

Lula is the least of Bolsonaro’s problems

Rising inflation, an uncontrolled pandemic, and massive economic uncertainty should keep Bolsonaro up at night — much more than Lula

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto

What to expect from a new rearrangement of forces in Brasília

What to expect from a new rearrangement of forces in Brasília

The momentary calm in Congress runs the risk of succumbing to the government's old problems

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto

Jair Bolsonaro, the quintessential Brazilian libertarian

Jair Bolsonaro, the quintessential Brazilian libertarian?

President Bolsonaro's intervention in the economy gives an indication of his true character. Investors are not encouraged by what they see

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto

Brazil's 'Big Center' is more ideological than it looks

Brazil’s ‘Big Center’ is more ideological than it looks

Often treated as a gold-digging group of ideology-free parties, the so-called 'Big Center' in Brazil's Congress is shaping up to be a cohesive pro-market right-wing political force

3 years ago • Leonardo Barreto