Lawmakers to elect heads of Brazil’s two houses of Congress

Brazil’s lower house and the Senate are currently going through decisive moments in the run-up to the big contest taking place on Saturday (Feb. 1), when the lawmakers should choose who will lead each of the two houses for the next two years. The other members of the executive boards will also be chosen.

In addition to their president, the senators will choose two vice-presidents and eight secretaries—four full members and four substitutes.

Candidates

On Friday, four senators had registered to run for the presidency of the Senate for 2025–2026: Davi Alcolumbre (Brazil Union Party), Marcos Pontes (Liberal Party), Marcos do Val (Podemos Party) and Eduardo Girão (Novo Party).

Three hopefuls officially announced their intention to vie for the position of lower house speaker: Hugo Motta (Republicans Party), Pastor Henrique Vieira (Socialism and Freedom Party) and Marcel van Hattem (Novo Party).

In both houses of Congress, in order to be elected in the first round, candidates need to secure an absolute majority—41 in the Senate, 257 in the lower house. If a run-off is required, the candidate with the most votes wins.

*With information from Congress