Brazil's TSE keeps 2022 campaign‑spending limits for 2026 elections

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ruled on 1 July to apply the same campaign‑spending caps used in the 2022 general election to the 2026 polls, without any inflation adjustment. The decision, led by minister Nunes Marques, follows the absence of a new law or normative act from Congress and reflects requests from political parties.

The presidential campaign limit is set at R$ 88.9 million for the first round and R$ 44.4 million for a possible second round. The Special Campaign Funding Fund (FEFC) remains at R$ 4.9 billion. Candidates for the Chamber of Deputies can spend up to R$ 3.1 million, while state and federal district candidates have a ceiling of about R$ 1.2 million. Limits for governors and senators vary according to the size of each state’s electorate.

TSE said maintaining the caps safeguards fiscal stability for parties, prevents distortion of political competition and protects inclusion policies for women, Black and Indigenous candidates.