Brazil political parties fail to meet 2026 electoral barrier

Following the 2026 elections in Brazil, several political parties and federations failed to meet the electoral barrier requirements established by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). As a result, these groups will lose access to the Party Fund and free airtime for radio and television propaganda starting in 2027.

Among those failing to meet the threshold are the PDT, Missão, and Avante, as well as the Psol/Rede federation and the Renovação Solidária federation (composed of PRD and Solidariedade). The Psol/Rede federation, despite electing 15 federal deputies, failed to meet the requirement of achieving 1.5% of valid votes in at least nine states, falling short in Espírito Santo by 185 votes.

The electoral barrier requires a party or federation to either elect at least 13 federal deputies distributed across nine states or secure at least 2.5% of the valid votes for federal deputy nationwide, with a 1.5% minimum in at least nine states. While these rules restrict access to public resources and media time, they do not prevent elected candidates from taking office.

In Mato Grosso, the MDB has acknowledged a performance below expectations and has begun a restructuring process after securing only three seats in the State Legislative Assembly, missing its target of five.