Explaining Brazil

Brazilians in almost 5,600 municipalities went to the polls to pick new mayors and city council members. The dispute was settled on Sunday in all but 52 cities. This week, we will discuss what conclusions can be drawn from the results, the key races still in play, and the effects of these local races on national politics.Support the show

For Lula's third term as president, international prominence and influence was set out as a priority — but a Pew survey shows that things are moving in the opposite directionSupport the show

X has been banned in Brazil for more than three weeks now, with billionaire CEO Elon Musk refusing to comply with Supreme Court demands. He seems to now have backed down, but what of the future of the platform in Brazil?Support the show

Smoke-filled skies, wildfires, lack of rain, and scorching heat that have lingered for weeks offer a glimpse of what’s in store for Brazilian cities as climate change takes hold in the coming years.Support the show

Pablo Marçal, a candidate for mayor of São Paulo who has become a hot name within Bolsonarism — despite not being endorsed by Bolsonaro. Marçal defends many of the values espoused by Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters. More importantly, he deploys a social media strategy that seems to be a version of the Bolsonaro campaign on steroids. Support the show

In our book club, economist Alysson Portella discusses the figures that unravel the structures of racial inequality in the country and points out ways to overcome it.Support the show

Brazil's Central Bank has enjoyed political autonomy since 2021, and Congress is analyzing a bill to make it financially independent, too. But this freedom has not come without controversySupport the show

After months of feuding between tech mogul Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the billionaire announced the closure of X's Brazil operationsSupport the show

Over the past five decades, Brazil and China have forged a complex and dynamic partnership, evolving from cautious diplomatic ties to becoming key economic and political allies on the global stage.Support the show

A look at Brazil's big medal wins, prospects for the final days of the Games, and how Brazilian athletes are funded.Support the show

Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in Venezuela's presidential election on Sunday, but the opposition and a long list of observers find the announced results difficult to believe. Read show notesSupport the show

In our book club, professor Carlos Pereira argues that certain institutional features ensured that Bolsonaro's authoritarian initiatives never became a credible threatSupport the show

Despite strategic moves to distribute cabinet positions to center and center-right parties, this has not guaranteed Lula a stable coalition. Some in the president's camp are calling for a reset in negotiations with Congress — but is that possible? Read show notesSupport the show

Debates about gun rights and regulations are becoming more and more common in 21st century Brazil, and we explore the forces behind the most prominent arguments. Read show notesSupport the show

The Brazilian real turns 30 next week. But the currency is reaching the landmark amid an incredible rout, caused by fiscal concerns. Read show notesSupport the show

Since returning to the Brazilian presidency, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has shown something of a preference for foreign policy, potentially to the detriment of domestic politics. He's traveled the world, appearing at almost every international summit that will have him, with the articulated goal of "repositioning" Brazil on the world stage. Read show notesSupport the show

Why disgruntled civil servants are a risk to Brazil's environmental goals. Read show notesSupport the show

A family left Brazil for Afghanistan in the 2000s, aiming to convert Muslims to Christianity. Adriana Carranca talks to Isabela Cruz about this story and the political dynamics surrounding it, as she explained in her work "Soul By Soul." Watch the full interview on Patreon for free! Support the show

A bill pending in the Senate proposes transferring control of coastal land to state governments, municipal authorities, or private interests, raising fear about the future of Brazil's beaches. Read show notesSupport the show

Shein, AliExpress, and Shopee have become ubiquitous in Brazil, causing much controversy along the way. Now, a bid from domestic retailers to bump up taxes on these platforms seems to have taken hold. Read show notesSupport the show