The political rocks that swing Brazil
The country is turning into a theatre in which, more often than not, politics mix with religion. That is a red flag because fanaticism in both areas can have disastrous effects on society
Published: 03:09 PM,Sep 30,2026 | EDITED : 07:09 PM,Sep 30,2026
In Brazil, the situation is precarious, and voicing ideas outside the accepted political and entrepreneurial narratives can carry consequences. Political debate and civility have degenerated into a circus.
Social media platforms remove posts that do not align with the main players' and adversaries’ lines of thought and political inclinations. People in power and behind the scenes are spreading a disruptive situation.
The country is turning into a theatre in which, more often than not, politics mix with religion. That is a red flag because fanaticism in both areas can have disastrous effects on society.
Elections in Brazil are very competitive, though polarised, it is characterised by vibrant public debate, and political violence can be high. Its strength draws from the power of BBB (beef, Bible, and bullets).
It baffles me how people with criminal ties are allowed to stand as candidates to represent citizens in governmental institutions. Brazil blocks candidates with final criminal convictions under the Clean Record Law, but individuals facing unproven charges or ongoing appeals can often still run.
Why would political candidates engage in fraud, embezzlement, corruption, or have dubious criminal ties and run for office? Participating in politics could be a calculated strategy to avoid punishment.
The idea that a presidential candidate allegedly promises, if he wins the election, to submit the country, its rare earth, and political governance to a foreign government is difficult to swallow. Openly declared a traitor and still running for president in a democratic election process is an irony!
International institutions such as Freedom House point out that corruption is endemic at top levels, contributing to widespread disillusionment among the public. Powerful business interests undermine democratic accountability by facilitating or encouraging corruption among elected officials.
Gaining insight into the dishonest manoeuvres of people holding powerful legislative, executive, entrepreneurial, and national football hero players, and recognising the extent and profitability of influencers' involvement in the country's politics, is beneficial.
Within the nation’s democratic structures, people have the opportunity to access and debate questionable tactics employed by oligarchic families, parts of the mainstream media, and corporate influences.
Then there are people in high level institutional leadership receiving benefits to influence legal, financial, and political decisions.
I now understand why one of the most loved footballers was included in the Brazilian national squad for the 2026 World Cup. I begin to see why one of the best players of the Brazilian squad did not take a penalty shot but passed the ball to another team player; the reason, as it slowly comes out, is financial. Brazilian football and politics, including the judiciary, are driven by too much ambiguous money.
How can it be that in a nation of over 210 million people, a single man manages to buy influence across every sector for years, set up a private banking system, plunder pensioners’ incomes, and still run fraudulent financing schemes? If we were still in the Cold War period or under a dictatorship, the citizen would never know about these occurrences.
Years ago, I wrote a piece claiming that Brazil is not for the weak; that lessons from Brazil can teach us about many issues and manipulations. From the extermination of indigenous people and illegal exploitation of their lands to political corruption in the heart of the country’s capital, as well as feminicide, and the insertion of the religious image of Our Lady Aparecida, the patron saint of the country, in the presidential election campaign, these issues highlight the complexity of Brazil.
Are external forces meddling in the presidential election? It is a strong possibility, with Internet platforms being selective, posts removed, and other hidden forces.
Whatever happens in Brazil’s presidential election will set the country on a new path, for better or for worse for its people.