Bolsonaro's US trip boosts right-wing Senate race in Brazil

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's trip to the United States after the 2026 elections has boosted the right-wing opposition's campaign to elect Rogério Marinho as Senate president in 2027. The movement frames recent Supreme Court rulings as judicial interference in legislative independence. The PL party, with 29 senators, is uniting behind Marinho, arguing that restrictions imposed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes constitute political persecution. Opposition leaders are using the trip to rally support from centrist lawmakers by warning that Senate autonomy is at risk. Marinho faces significant obstacles, including incumbent Davi Alcolumbre's support from the União Progressista federation and his control over committee assignments and resources. Alcolumbre, allied with President Lula, holds advantages in attracting undecided senators, while the opposition appeals to newcomers with corporate arguments about institutional security.