Joaquim Barbosa withdraws from Brazil's presidential race, DC party faces internal turmoil

Former Supreme Court minister Joaquim Barbosa announced he will not run for president under the Democracia Cristã (DC) banner. The party, which had struggled to build a viable campaign structure, removed his name from the candidacy list.

DC leaders cited internal disagreements and a tight deadline—August 5 for the party convention—to select a new nominee. Earlier, Aldo Rebelo had been positioned as the pre‑candidate, only to be sidelined in favor of Barbosa, prompting further discord within the party. Party head João Caldas acknowledged the difficulty of rallying sufficient support before the convention.

Barbosa’s exit leaves the DC without a clear presidential contender as Brazil’s election narrows to incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son, Flávio Nantes Bolsonaro. The party’s future strategy and its potential influence on alliances remain uncertain.