Brazil parties have until May 31 to form joint federations

The deadline to register party federations with Brazil’s electoral courts is ending on May 31. Unprecedented in the country, the federation model allows two or more political parties to act together.

Unlike coalitions, where partnerships may be dissolved following the election, under federations parties retain their autonomy, but must act as one from the election period—when candidates run for office—until the end of the four-year term, should they be elected. Failure to comply may see the dissenting party banned from joining other parties in a federation for the next two elections.

Approved by Congress last year, federations were created in a bid to minimize the issues brought about by the increase in the number of political parties across the country, which has 32 parties on a wide spectrum. Some of these failed to have a representative elected in Parliament.

Combined, federations also merge the television air time dedicated to propaganda as well as the resources they receive for campaigns and party maintenance.