The bizarre parallels, yet again. Brazil’s 2026 election, while not over yet, is looking so much like U.S. in 2024. The triumphant return of the “Tropical Trumps,” prevailing over an 80-something president who lost his touch (as if Biden never dropped out), as pocketbook issues, scandals and street crime led the electorate to cast aside the sins of the prior term — COVID response, scandals and January 8th (6th).
Just like the U.S., a massive conservative wave election in Congress and governor’s races that — barring a surprise Lula comeback in 2nd round — will allow the Bolsonaros not just to return, but return more powerful than before, empowered to pursue agenda and exact revenge upon enemies including the so-called Deep State. The Brazilian variant may bring impeachment of Supreme Court judges and a purge of federal bureaucracy.
Two countries, 5,000 miles apart, with so many important differences. On parallel tracks for a decade now, with Brazil consistently 2 years behind. Why? That’s a separate post.