DC party crisis as Joaquim Barbosa withdraws from Brazil's 2026 presidential race

Former Supreme Court minister Joaquim Barbosa informed the leadership of Brazil's Democracia Cristã (DC) party that he will not run for the presidency in the 2026 election. He cited the lack of political alliances, campaign financing and television exposure as reasons for his withdrawal, noting that the party had failed to meet the conditions he set for a viable candidacy. His decision deepens an internal dispute within DC, which had previously tried to replace pre‑candidate Aldo Rebelo with Barbosa.

Aldo Rebelo, after being expelled and later reinstated by a court ruling, has reaffirmed his own pre‑candidacy, arguing that the party’s name should be decided at the national convention scheduled between 20 July and 5 August. In the midst of the turmoil, Rafaela Losi, mayor of Clevelândia, left the PSD and assumed the presidency of DC’s state executive in Paraná, overseeing the party’s re‑organization ahead of the upcoming conventions. The episode highlights the challenges DC faces in building a coherent presidential platform and securing alliances ahead of Brazil's national elections.