As Brazil prepares for the October 25 presidential runoff, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has unveiled a platform of sweeping constitutional amendments. The conservative candidate intends to challenge the current judicial structure and limit presidential terms if he defeats incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Targeting the Supreme Federal Tribunal and judicial oversight
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign strategy centers on a massive restructuring of Brazil's legal institutions through Proposed Amendments to the Constitution, known as PECs. During a recent campaign event in Goiânia, Goiás, Bolsonaro argued that the current judicial environment prevents a "true democratic balance." According to the report, his primary target is the Supreme Federal Tribunal and other judicial bodies that he believes hinder the democratic process.
This movement reflects a broader trend in Brazilian politics where conservative leaders seek to curb the power of the judiciary. By framing these changes as a "re-democratization" effort, Bolsonaro is attempting to appeal to voters who feel the current legal landscape is unaccountable. However, critics suggest this is less about democracy and more about reshaping the state to suit right-wing ideological priorities.
A single term to end presidential re-elections
Perhaps the most radical component of the Bolsonaro platform is the proposal to abolish presidential re-elections in Brazil. The senator has stated that if he wins the runoff against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, he will use his initial political capital to pass a PEC that restricts the presidency to a single term. Bolsonaro claims this move is intended to serve as a moral example, demonstrating that his goal is the future of the counttry rather than personal longevity in office.
This proposal serves as a direct cotrast to the current administration's approach. By committing to a single term, Bolsonaro aims to position himself as a reformer who is not seeking to consolidate power, even as his proposed judicial reforms might actually increase executive influence over the legal system.
The 308-vote hurdle in the Chamber of Deputies
The path to implementing these constitutional changes is blocked by significant legislative requirements. To pass a PEC, Bolsonaro must secure a three-fifths majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. While the Liberal Party is expected to lead a right-wing majority starting in February 2027, the report indicates they will likely fall short of the necessary threshold without significant concessions.
Specifically, Bolsonaro will need to secure 308 votes in the Lower House and 49 votes in the Senate. This mathematical reality means the conservative platform is heavily dependent on complex negotiations with centrist lawmakers.. Without these alliances, the sweeping reforms to the judiciary, tax laws, and criminal responsibility age will remain mere campaign promises rather than enacted law.
Lowering criminal responsibility and tax reform via PECs
Beyond the restructuring of the courts, Bolsonaro is pushing for a stricter approach to law and order through constitutional amendments. A key pillar of his platform is the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility, a policy he has advocated for years. He argues that such a fundamental shift in how the state haandles juvenile crime must be enshrined in the nation's basic law.
Additionally, Bolsonaro has identified critical areas of tax reform that he believes can only be resolved through constitutional changes. These proposals, combined with the judicial overhaul, suggest a comprehensive attempt to rewrite the rules of the Brazilian state to align with conservative values regarding social order and economic structure.
Who will decide the scope of the single-term ban?
Despite the boldness of the platform, several specific details remain unaddressed in the current campaign. It is still unclear whether the proposed ban on re-election would apply to state governors or if the length of the presidential term itself would be modified. Furthermore, while Bolsonaro has dismissed accusations that he is simply finishing the work of his father, the source does not include a formal rebuttal or perspective from the incumbent Lula administration regarding these proposed constitutional shifts.
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