Brazil · 2026-W42 · Global Weekly Agenda

Brazil's Congress enacts end of 6x1 work schedule and special retirement for health agents

First published Sat, Oct 17

Brazil's Congress promulgated a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule and granting special retirement to health agents. The enactment was reported by the Senate and covered across Brazilian outlets.1 2 3

No opposition senator attended the promulgation ceremony for the amendment ending the 6x1 schedule, despite votes in favor of the measure.3 2

The end of the 6x1 schedule raises the value paid for overtime by up to 10 percent, and the reduced working hours will raise costs for 30 percent of companies.2 4

The amendment also establishes special retirement for health agents, which the Finance Ministry estimates will cost R$ 3 billion per year.5

Brazil's Congress approves mandatory Enamed exam for new doctors before professional registration

First published Sat, Oct 17

Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved a provisional measure creating the National Exam for the Evaluation of Medical Training (Enamed), which new doctors must pass to obtain professional registration. The measure now goes to presidential sanction.1 2 3

The exam is intended to assess medical students during their undergraduate training, and the Senate approved the mandatory requirement for the practice of medicine.3 4

The measure's rapporteur defended the model as an "OAB of Medicine," a reference to the Brazilian bar exam, arguing it is needed to contain an "epidemic" of medical courses.5

Coverage of the approval described the requirement as a mandatory national exam for new doctors, with the Senate vote sending the text to sanction.6 7 8 9 10

Brazil's TSE upholds order barring Meta from restricting candidates' political posts

First published Sat, Oct 17

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) upheld its order requiring Meta to guarantee equal treatment for candidates in the distribution of political and electoral content. Justice Bellizze, of the TSE, prohibited Meta from restricting the reach of candidates' posts. The ruling keeps in force a decision that Meta must not interfere in the distribution of political-electoral content.1 2 3

Meta denied political interference in Brazil's elections and attributed problems affecting President Lula's networks to 'technical incidents.' The company described the issue as a global technical failure in displaying the total view count on Lula's social media posts.4 5 6 7

An internal Meta message acknowledged that Lula's account was harmed, Folha de S.Paulo reported, a detail that sits alongside the company's public denial of political interference. The TSE's decision to maintain the order came the same day.8 4

Flávio Bolsonaro tells TV Globo Eduardo will not be foreign minister, dodges on giving father a post

First published Sat, Oct 17

BACKGROUND

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro had already drawn attention for remarks about changing the Constitution "to redemocratize the country," which he later said referred to a reform of the Supreme Federal Court and the end of re-election. He also said that if elected he would use the "political capital" from the start of his government to try to end re-election. The clarification was described by one outlet as a "recuo" (backtrack), while others reported it as an explanation of his earlier remarks.

Former STF Justice Celso de Mello rebuked Flávio Bolsonaro over the episode, saying that "reforming the Constitution does not authorize the winner of elections to destroy it." A CNBB bishop also said the senator must explain his "dangerous" decision to declare that "Brazil belongs to Jesus Christ." These earlier statements and reactions form the backdrop to this week's TV Globo interview.

In a TV Globo interview during the second round of the presidential race, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro said his brother Eduardo will not be foreign minister. Asked whether he would give a post to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, he avoided answering, saying the matter had never been discussed: 'Nunca tratou disso.'1 2 3

In the same interview, Flávio Bolsonaro again defended ending re-election and said the change would preserve a rule that would prevent a relative from succeeding him. He had earlier said his remarks about changing the Constitution 'to redemocratize the country' referred to reforming the Supreme Federal Court and ending re-election, and he also cited changes to the age of criminal responsibility and tax rules as targets.4 3

Fact-checking of the interview was published, alongside tallies of the most-spoken words by Flávio Bolsonaro and President Lula in their respective TV Globo interviews. Columnists for O Globo also published notes and assessments of how the senator performed.5 6 7 8

Actor José de Abreu criticized the interview with Flávio Bolsonaro and also attacked Globo itself, calling it 'Um horror,' as reported by Notícias da TV, a centre outlet.2

A presidential debate between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula is scheduled on Band in the second round, and the full interviews with both candidates are available to watch in full.9 10

Police seek 90-day extension of Dark Horse inquiry into Vorcaro transfers for Bolsonaro film

First published Sat, Oct 17

Federal Police have asked Supreme Federal Court Justice André Mendonça to extend the Dark Horse inquiry by 90 days. The case examines money sent abroad in connection with a film about former President Jair Bolsonaro.1

A cooperating witness said banker Daniel Vorcaro concealed that money sent to the United States was intended for the film about Bolsonaro. The witness also described a fraudulent payment to a fund linked to Eduardo Bolsonaro in the US.2 3

The Federal Police reported a severe divergence between the funds sent abroad and the amounts that returned to Brazil for the film. VEJA reported that the police see inconsistencies in the cooperating witness's testimony.4 5

The witness said he tried to recover money of Vorcaro's that had been sent to Dark Horse. A businessman who made transfers to Dark Horse said he moved suitcases of cash on Vorcaro's orders.6 7

Columnist Mônica Bergamo reported that money Flávio Bolsonaro requested from Vorcaro for Dark Horse did not come from Banco Master sponsorship.8