Davi topples Goliath in scandal-filled Senate president election

In one of the most turbulent sessions Brazil’s Senate has ever seen, the chamber has finally elected a new president. Senator Davi Alcolumbre, of the right-wing Democratas party, gathered 42 out of 81 votes, despite running practically unopposed after a series of twists and turns which disgraced the upper house of Congress. Veteran Senator Renan Calheiros, one of the most powerful powerbrokers in Brazilian politics, removed his candidacy at the last minute and will move to the opposition, which could spell trouble for the Bolsonaro government.

Unlike the lower House of Representatives, which re-elected Rodrigo Maia with no fanfare, yesterday’s voting session in the Senate was unbridled chaos. After over four hours of political maneuvers, loopholes, jeers, insults—and a bit of petty theft thrown in for good measure—the election for Senate President was postponed until Saturday lunchtime. 

Saturday’s session was no less eventful. The first attempt at an election was annulled after the governing board counted 82 filled ballots in a chamber of 81 Senators. While the second vote was in progress, favorite Renan Calheiros took the stand and announced the withdrawal of his candidacy, declaring Davi Alcolumbre the new president.

The Chamber of Secrets

The madness of Friday’s session revolved around the matter of the voting system to be used in the election. According to Senate protocol, presidents of the chamber are chosen by a secret ballot, with whoever receives a majority of votes being elected Senate President for a two-year term. With the increased public clamor for anti-corruption and accountability of elected officials, there were calls (in both houses of Congress) for elections to be held in open, nominal ballots.

While this idea may well have been taken as a sincere ideological stance by some politicians, the main target of the push for an open ballot was the frontrunning candidate, Renan Calheiros.

A skilled horse trader and corridor negotiator par excellence, Mr. Calheiros was confident of winning in a secret ballot, where party lines can...