# Brazil Senate race heats up as Lula faces right-wing Congress

> Lula's government struggles to govern as Brazil's Senate president race intensifies.
- Title: Brazil Senate race heats up as Lula faces right-wing Congress
- Summary: Lula's government struggles to govern as Brazil's Senate president race intensifies.
- Keywords: brazil senate, lula, congress, right-wing parties, senate president race, uniao brasao, rogorio marinho, davi alcolumbre, pl party, senate presidency, brazil, Brazil Reports
- Source: Brazil Reports — https://brazilreports.com/eyes-turn-to-brazil-senate-president-race-as-lula-reckons-with-congress-dominated-by-right/7465
- Author: Catherine Wray
- Published: 2026-11-13T17:32:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: brazil senate, lula, congress, right-wing parties, senate president race, uniao brasao, rogorio marinho, davi alcolumbre, pl party, senate presidency, brazil, news
## Senate president race begins
Brazil's Senate president race starts as Lula's government faces right-wing Congress dominance.
## PL party secures Senate majority
Partido Liberal (PL) wins most Senate seats since 1985 in October elections.
## Key candidates emerge
Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil) and Rogério Marinho (Bolsonaro ally) compete for Senate presidency.
## Senate presidency vote timeline
81 senators will vote in secret ballot on 1 February 2027 for Senate president.
## Right-wing majority in Congress
Right and centre-right parties hold 292 of 513 Chamber seats and 51 of 81 Senate seats.
## Lula's Senate strategy
Lula prioritizes electing Senate president who will work with government for effective legislation.
## Conservative challenges to Lula
Conservative senators may block Lula's Supreme Court appointments and key legislation.
## Right-wing polarization risks
Radicalized right labels Lula supporters as leftists or communists, limiting political consensus.
## Key takeaway

Lula faces challenges in forming Senate alliances after right-wing parties gain majority in Congress.