A new era begins for Bolsonaro with multiple challenges ahead

The election of the new heads of Congress ushers in a completely new era for the Jair Bolsonaro government. The importance is less to do with the figures involved — the newly elected House Speaker Arthur Lira or Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco would never have gotten to where they are without a resolute decision from the government to tilt the congressional leadership election in their favor — but more connected to the way politics is done in Brasília.

Once described by Jair Bolsonaro as veiled corruption, the system of “coalition presidentialism” — by which the sitting government dishes out benefits to allied parties in exchange for a congressional majority — is most certainly alive and well.

This arrangement of forces is diametrically opposed to that of the beginning of Mr. Bolsonaro’s term in 2019. Back then, boosted by his surprise election win, the president decided to stick to his campaign rhetoric and demonize Congress, ignoring the need to nurture a support base or appoint experienced political negotiators to liaise with the House and Senate.

The breaking point was the coronavirus pandemic. With his survival instincts kicking in, President Bolsonaro...