Brazil
Brazil performs in the high range in two categories (Representation and Participation) of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework and in the mid-range in Rights and Rule of Law. It is among the top 25 per cent of countries in multiple factors across all categories. Between 2019 and 2024, the country experienced advances in Civil Liberties, Judicial Independence, Effective Parliament and Civil Society. Brazil boasts one of the world’s largest economies, driven by exports of soybeans, iron ore, petroleum (crude and refined) and coffee.
After nearly three centuries of colonial rule, Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822. The military has since played a pivotal political role, especially during the dictatorship (1964 -1985), marked by widespread human rights abuses; many perpetrators evaded justice through an amnesty law, currently under review. Re-democratization gave citizens a greater role in shaping public policy through local governments. Over time, this helped establish Brazil as a leader in participatory methods. In the early 2000s, millions were lifted from poverty through social policies including cash-transfer programs and strengthened labor and pension laws. Still, inequality rates remain among the highest in the region and, along with poverty, is a key driver of politics. Organized crime and police brutality remain serious concerns, especially for Black Brazilians.
Brazil is a diverse country, shaped by European colonialization, African enslavement and Indigenous communities. Despite the myth of an existing ‘racial democracy’, inter-community relations are marked by inequality. Although the relationship between the government and its Indigenous peoples has improved since 2023, they still face land dispossession, high rates of violence and severe impacts from extractive industries in the Amazon. Religious identity is another cleavage, especially in light of increasingly influential Evangelical groups.
Brazil has a robust legal framework to enhance gender equality—including safeguards against domestic violence and sexual violence, equal pay, gender quotas and same-sex marriage and adoption rights—but increasing pressure from certain factions in Congress threatens some of these protections. Gender-based violence and femicides have risen in recent years. LGBTQIA+ people face alarming rates of violence and homicide rates for transgender people.
Brazilian politics are divided between supporters of the Workers Party (PT) and its opponents. In 2013, mass protests over long-standing social and economic grievances, compounded by corruption scandals—like the Mensalão and Lava Jato scandal—allowed far-right groups to gain political ground. Between 2018 and 2022, policies weakened gun control, gender equality, environment and Indigenous land protections, while implementing significant cuts for social welfare funding. Following the 2022 electoral process, the new administration promised to reverse many of these policies. The campaign period was marked by political polarization, culminating in the violent storming of the capital on 8 January 2023. Inquiries into these events are ongoing, with former leaders on trial on charges that include plotting a coup.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch whether recent democratic gains are sustained, especially given growing polarization. The government’s handling of persistent challenges in Rights –particularly in Political Equality and Basic Welfare–also warrants attention. Judicial Independence and Predictable Enforcement will be key in how institutions deal with recent efforts to undermine democratic order. At the same time, it will be important to monitor Freedom of Expression, especially in light of the judiciary's growing role in imposing restrictions on social media platforms to curb the spread of disinformation.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
September 2025
Former President Jair Bolsonaro and allies are convicted for coup attempt
On 11 September, the first panel of the Supreme Court of Brazil (STF), convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his closest allies—including senior military officers and former government officials—for participating in an attempted coup d'état, sentencing him to 27 years and three months in prison. The conviction has been described as a historic moment for accountability in a country that has never before seen a leader convicted for attempting to disrupt the democratic order, despite its long history of coups. The Court concluded that Bolsonaro and his allies had formed a criminal organisation to keep him in power after losing the 2022 elections. The plan included a plot to assassinate President Lula da Silva, his Vice-President and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as well as other attempts to create a state of chaos that would trigger military intervention. Bolsonaro claims the trial was politically motivated and is set to appeal, though legal experts say overturning the sentence is unlikely.
Sources: Agencia Brasil, Brasil de Fato, The Guardian, CNN Brasil
June 2025
New expanded quota system for public service is promulgated
On 3 June, President Lula da Silva promulgated Law No. 1958/2021, which expands the share of new positions in the federal public service that are reserved for minority groups from 20 to 30 per cent and adds Indigenous and Quilombola (descendants of enslaved people) as potential beneficiaries of the quota system. The new law replaces Law No. 12,990/2014, in place since 2014, which had reserved 20 per cent of federal employment vacancies for Black or mixed-race people but did not include Indigenous or Quilombola groups. The measure was presented as an effort to continue addressing structural inequalities in the country and to create public offices that are more reflective and representative of Brazilian society. The law is the result of broad discussions over two years that included parliamentarians, civil society, and oversight agencies. The new quota system will be reviewed after ten years.
Sources: CNN, Presidencia Brasil, AP news
Federal Supreme Court holds platforms responsible for harmful content
On 26 June, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruled that parts of Article 19 of the Internet Civil Rights Framework are unconstitutional, as they fail to protect fundamental rights and democracy. Article 19 held platforms liable for removing illegal content only after a judicial order. The STF ruled that, until new legislation is passed, companies must now actively monitor posts and take down reported illegal material (e.g., incitement to terrorism or anti-democratic acts, child pornography, racism). For crimes like calumny or defamation, platforms will be liable only if they ignore a court order. Freedom of expression experts argue that regulating social media platforms is critical, but the STF’s ruling failed to ensure protections for free access to information and against censorship, granting platforms discretionary power to define what content is illegal and subject to removal. Without legislated transparency measures, they warn, platforms could censor content based on private economic or political interests.
Source: AP News, Agencia Brasil, Supremo Tribunal federal, Oglobo, Artigo 19, Association for Progressive Communications
April 2025
Former President Collor de Mello imprisoned over Lava-Jato case
On 24 April, Supreme Court Justice Alexander de Moraes ordered the immediate imprisonment of former president Fernando Collor de Mello, who will be serving eight years of jail time following his conviction for corruption and money laundering connected to the Lava-Jato corruption scandal. The decision comes after de Moraes ruled to dismiss Collor de Mello's second appeal against his imprisonment following his conviction in May 2023. On 1 May, Collor de Mello was allowed to be transferred to his residency to serve house arrest after receiving authorization from the Supreme Court on humanitarian grounds (based on his advanced age and multiple health conditions). He will be forced to wear an ankle bracelet and will only be able to receive visits from his lawyers. Collor de Mello has pleaded not guilty to the charges of corruption and maintained his innocence throughout the years.
Souce: El Pais, Agência Brasil, Reuters
February 2025
Video-platform Rumble is banned in Brazil
On 21 February, Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the immediate suspension of the video platform Rumble in Brazil, accusing the company of refusing to comply with court orders. The suspension responds to the platform’s lack of compliance with a court order to remove the account of Allan dos Santos, an influential right-wing blogger and fugitive based in Florida, who is under investigation for several crimes in Brazil, including spreading fake news and involvement in a criminal organization. De Moraes had also required Rumble to appoint a legal representative in Brazil within 48 hours, which the company failed to do. Justice de Moraes stated that Rumble has repeatedly neglected this requirement, thereby violating Brazilian law. He ruled that the platform would remain blocked until it complies with judicial orders, appoints a local legal representative, and pays its outstanding fines. In a public statement, Rumble denounced the suspension as censorship and announced its intention to pursue legal action against the court order.
Sources: G1, AP News, Deutsche Welle, Supreme Federal Court of Brazil
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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