Major Political Parties Dominate Mayoral Positions in Large Cities
In the recent elections, four political parties have emerged as the primary forces among mayors and vice mayors in Brazil's largest municipalities, signifying a significant consolidation of power. The parties in question--PL, PSD, MDB, and União Brasil--are set to lead the majority of cities with over 200,000 registered voters, according to data from the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE).
Of the 103 cities meeting the criteria for potentially holding a second electoral round, the PL party stands out with a total of 31 elected officials, comprising 16 mayors and 15 vice mayors, amounting to 15% of the total. Notable cities under PL leadership include Guarulhos, located in the Greater São Paulo area, and Maceió, where the incumbent mayor João Henrique Caldas was re-elected.
Following closely is the PSD, which has secured a total of 29 positions--15 as mayors and 14 as vice mayors, representing 14% of the total. This party continues to govern significant urban centers, including Rio de Janeiro under Eduardo Paes and Belo Horizonte with Fuad Noman at the helm, both of whom were re-elected. Additionally, the PSD will occupy the vice mayor positions in cities like Fortaleza and Osasco.
In contrast, the Workers' Party (PT) and the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), which are currently part of the federal government, have seen varied results in these elections. The PT has managed to secure six mayoral positions and one vice mayor in key cities, including a return to leadership in Fortaleza after a hiatus since 2018. Meanwhile, the PSB has elected two mayors and eight vice mayors, outperforming the PT in terms of vice mayoral positions.
Political analysts note that the selection of vice mayors is as crucial as the mayors themselves, as these positions often play a significant role in local governance and can lead to future mayoral candidacies. For instance, in cities like São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, previous vice mayors have ascended to the mayoral position following the passing or resignation of their predecessors.
The focus on cities with over 200,000 voters is strategic, as these locations are critical in national election cycles, often receiving heightened attention from the national parties. Such strategic positioning allows political parties to strengthen their influence not just at the municipal level but also in state and federal elections.
Here is a breakdown of the number of mayors and vice mayors by party:
- PL: 31 (16 mayors, 15 vice mayors)
- PSD: 29 (15 mayors, 14 vice mayors)
- MDB: 25 (12 mayors, 13 vice mayors)
- União Brasil: 23 (14 mayors, 9 vice mayors)
- PP: 16 (11 mayors, 5 vice mayors)
- Podemos: 16 (8 mayors, 8 vice mayors)
- Republicanos: 13 (8 mayors, 5 vice mayors)
- PSB: 10 (2 mayors, 8 vice mayors)
- Novo: 9 (2 mayors, 7 vice mayors)
- PSDB: 8 (5 mayors, 3 vice mayors)
- PT: 7 (6 mayors, 1 vice mayor)
- Avante: 7 (2 mayors, 5 vice mayors)
- PDT: 3 (2 mayors, 1 vice mayor)
- Solidariedade: 2 vice mayors
- Other parties: 1 vice mayor each
In total, political parties representing the Centrão are set to govern 63% of Brazil's municipalities, reflecting a substantial concentration of political power at the local level.
