Politics · Brazil · 3 hrs ago
PL leader drops bid to lead Brazil’s lower house after Flávio Bolsonaro’s defeat
Sóstenes Cavalcante has dropped his bid to become president of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress.
He had said he would run if Flávio Bolsonaro won the presidential election, but Bolsonaro lost to President Lula in the second round.
The PL has 121 elected deputies, more than any other party in the chamber.
The party will meet next week to decide whether to support current speaker Hugo Motta or seek another candidate.
Motta already has backing from ten centrist parties and several left-wing parties, giving him an advantage in the contest.
He has not ruled out PL support and says he wants to build a candidacy that unites the chamber.
Motta will also seek individual deputies’ support in meetings with newly elected lawmakers in the coming days.
Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of Brazil’s PL party in the lower house, dropped his bid to become speaker after Flávio Bolsonaro lost the presidential election.
Cavalcante said the PL’s lawmakers will meet next week to decide whether to back incumbent speaker Hugo Motta or seek another candidate.
The PL won 121 seats, making it the largest party in the lower house, and had been working against Motta’s candidacy.
Motta has the support of ten centrist parties and several left-wing parties, strengthening his position.
Motta has not ruled out support from the PL and says he wants to build a candidacy that unites the chamber.
- Who
- Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of the PL in Brazil’s lower house, withdrew his bid to become speaker.
- What
- He will not run for speaker after Flávio Bolsonaro lost the presidential election. The PL will decide next week whether to back Hugo Motta or seek another candidate.
- When
- Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Cavalcante said the PL will meet next week.
- Where
- Brazil’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies.
- Why
- Cavalcante said he had planned to seek the speakership if Flávio Bolsonaro won and had no interest in running with Lula as president.
PL
Hugo Motta and his supporters
Speakership bid
PL
The PL had been working against Motta’s candidacy and will decide next week whether to support his re-election or seek another candidate.
Hugo Motta and his supporters
Motta has support from ten centrist parties and several left-wing parties.
Support
PL
The PL has not yet decided whether to back Motta.
Hugo Motta and his supporters
Motta has not ruled out PL support and says he wants a candidacy that unites the chamber.
Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of the other candidates.
Flávio Bolsonaro lost to President Lula in the second round of the presidential election.
Sóstenes Cavalcante dropped his bid to become speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.
The PL plans to meet to decide whether to support Hugo Motta’s re-election or seek another candidate.
- PL seats
- 121 deputies, the largest party in the Chamber of Deputies
- PL leader
- Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ)
- Incumbent speaker
- Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB)
- Motta’s party backing
- Ten centrist parties, as well as left-wing parties including PDT, PSB and PV
What people are saying
I always said I would be president of the Chamber if Flávio won. I have no interest in being a candidate with Lula.
Next week we will meet with the caucus and decide.