Joaquim Barbosa withdraws presidential bid in Brazil

Former Supreme Court minister Joaquim Barbosa told the Democracia Cristã (DC) party he will not run for president in the 2026 election, marking his second withdrawal after a similar retreat in 2018. The announcement, reported by Folha de S. Paulo and Valor Econômico, cited unmet conditions such as a broad coalition, sufficient TV time and a national campaign structure.

Barbosa's exit reshapes the electoral landscape: a recent Genial/Quaest poll showed Lula at 40% and the rest of the field collectively at 40% after Barbosa's 1% share disappeared, tightening the race. Within DC, his candidacy had sparked a conflict with former pre‑candidate Aldo Rebelo, who was expelled and later reinstated by court order. The party says it will continue negotiating alliances and aims to decide its final candidate by the August 5 party convention.