Fifteen political parties are represented in Congress. Since it is common for politicians to switch parties, the proportion of congressional seats held by particular parties changes regularly. The major political parties are:

Workers' Party (PT-center-left)
Liberal Front Party (PFL-right)
Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB-center)
Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB-center-left)
Progressive Party (PP-right)
Brazilian Labor Party (PTB-center-right)
Liberal Party (PL-center-right)
Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB-left)
Popular Socialist Party (PPS-left)
Democratic Labor Party (PDT-left)
Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB-left)

President Lula was elected with the support of an alliance composed of his own leftist Workers' Party (PT), the center right Liberal Party (PL), the leftist National Mobilization Party (PMN), which currently only has two Deputies in the Chamber, the leftist Popular Socialist Party (PPS, formerly the PCB), and the leftist Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB). The PPS as well as the large PMDB party left the PT-led governing coalition in December 2004. With these withdrawals, the coalition has a small majority in the Chamber of Deputies and a minority in the Senate.

In June 2005, a domestic political scandal surfaced which has absorbed most parliamentary attention and derailed the legislative agenda and schedule. Several senior administration and PT party officials, most notably President Lulaís Chief of Staff Jose Dirceu, stepped down in connection with corruption charges. The scandal has also led to a number of party switches by parliamentarians and at least three congressional investigations. Party loyalty is weak, and deputies and senators who belong to the parties comprising the government coalition do not always vote with the government. Conversely, the government may also attract support from members who are not in the governing coalition. For example, a substantial wing of the PMDB continues to vote with the government coalition and the PMDB has ministries in Lula's cabinet.

Because of the mandatory revenue allocation to states and municipalities provided for in the 1988 constitution, Brazilian governors and mayors have exercised considerable power since 1989. Presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial elections last took place in October 2002. President Lula won the election with 61% of the vote. His challenger in the run-off was Jose Serra of the PDSB, former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's party. Municipal elections occurred in October 2004. The next national elections, including for the presidency, will be held in October 2006. Although candidacies have yet to be formally announced, it appears that President Lula will seek reelection. Frontrunner opposition candidates include Sao Paolo mayor Jose Serra and Sao Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin.

Note: The Offices of Political Coordination and Human Rights, and the Secretariat of Communications have been consolidated into the Ministry of Economic and Social Development, Justice, and the Chief of Staff, respectively.

Brazil maintains an embassy in the United States at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-238-2700). Brazil has consulates general in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and consulates in Miami, Houston, Boston, and San Francisco.