Politics

Brazil’s “third way” admits defeat

It has become clear that the center-right will not break the Lula-Bolsonaro dichotomy. So parties have stopped trying and are setting more pedestrian goals

third way capitulates tebet misinformation Senator Simone Tebet is set to be the third way's presidential candidate. Photo: Roque de Sá/SF
Senator Simone Tebet is set to be the third way’s presidential candidate. Photo: Roque de Sá/SF

Last year, a group of established names from Brazil’s center-right and center-left published a manifesto in defense of democracy. Co-signed by six presidential hopefuls, the document led parts of the mainstream media to believe in the possibility of a broad front to break the electoral duopoly between far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his center-left nemesis, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

One year later, the so-called “third way” is in complete disarray. Less than five months before Election Day, the group of center-right parties has yet to settle on a candidate, nor any semblance of a campaign strategy to change the minds of voters who have already decided to favor one of the two frontrunners.

After multiple adjournments, a decision on a candidate will be announced on May 24. The Brazilian Report understands that the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), the Brazilian Democratic Movement...

Don't miss this opportunity!

Interested in staying updated on Brazil and Latin America? Subscribe to start receiving our reports now!