Brazil Supreme Court delays election law ruling, orders parties to disclose budget emenda roles

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of changes to the Clean Slate law that shorten the period of ineligibility for public office. A split vote of 2‑0 leaves the decision pending, creating uncertainty for candidates such as former Goiás governor José Roberto Arruda and former Chamber president Eduardo Cunha, who claim their eligibility was restored by congressional reforms approved for 2025.

Separately, STF minister Flávio Dino set a deadline of 29 July for political parties to explain whether their national leaders play any role in defining, distributing or managing parliamentary budget amendments. Only six of the 21 parties with congressional representation have responded, most stating that party presidents have no formal authority over emenda allocation. The order follows Dino’s earlier actions to block assets of PL president Valdemar Costa Neto and Eduardo Cunha amid investigations into illegal amendment steering.