Brazil sees record-high incumbent re‑election bids for 2026 Congress

A preliminary study by the Departamento Intersindical de Assessoria Parlamentar (DIAP) finds that 87.3% of current federal deputies are seeking re‑election in the 2026 elections – 448 of the 513 seats – the highest proportion on record. In the Senate, 34 of the 54 senators whose terms end in 2026 (62.96%) intend to run again, while the remaining seats will be contested by new candidates. The analysis notes that tighter candidacy limits, a mandatory 30% gender quota and a stricter barrier clause contribute to the high incumbency rate in the Chamber and a comparatively larger turnover expected in the Senate.

These figures suggest a low renewal rate for the lower house and a potentially more stable composition of legislators, which could influence the legislative agenda and political dynamics leading up to the 2026 election cycle.