Jair Bolsonaro wants to create a new party. That wouldn’t be easy, though

During the weekend, President Jair Bolsonaro said there is “an 80-percent chance” he will leave the Social Liberal Party. This declaration is the latest chapter in the fallout between the president and the party’s chairman, Congressman Luciano Bivar. The two have fought tooth and nail for control over the party’s coffers—which will be boosted by a payment of over BRL 200 million next year from a public campaign fund.

But beyond just leaving his current political group, Mr. Bolsonaro said he desires to create a party of his own, given that independent candidacies are illegal in Brazil.

At this point, though, it would be a stretch to say that the president and his allies would be able to create a new party from scratch, in time to be eligible for the 2020 municipal elections.

These mayoral and council elections in Brazil set the stage for national races two years later. In a country as vast as Brazil, candidates rely on allied elected officials in isolated corners for grassroots engagement. 

How to create a new party in Brazil

The first step to create a political party in Brazil is to register an establishment request at an electoral notary office, with at least 101 signatures supporting it. At...