Political alliances and private jets: how to win the House Speaker election

Presidential campaigns in Brazil can be brutal — and costly — for candidates, who have to cross thousands of kilometers on an almost daily basis to meet and greet voters. When it comes to congressional leadership elections, however, one would think that candidates for House Speaker would have an easier time, as the only votes they have to win over are those of their peers — most of whom they know on a first-name basis.

One would be mistaken.

Candidates for the House Speaker position have a tremendous structure at their behest, including campaign managers and even private jets. Frontrunners Arthur Lira and Baleia Rossi have been flying across the nation trying to make their case to other congressmen and minimize the risk of last-minute defections within their ranks ahead of the February 1 vote.

While negotiations started back in November 2020, it was only after the turn of the year that the race took on an almost presidential dimension.

In January, Mr. Lira — who is President Jair Bolsonaro’s horse in the race — traveled to...