Overview
- The TSE published a portaria on Tuesday that formally sets the 2026 spending ceilings and repeats the numeric limits used in 2022.
- Presidential candidates may spend up to R$88.9 million in the first round and an additional R$44.4 million in a second round, about R$133 million in total.
- Limits for governors and senators vary by state with São Paulo the highest at R$26.6 million for a governor’s first round and R$7.1 million for Senate bids.
- Campaigns for federal deputy are capped at R$3.1 million and state deputy campaigns at R$1.2 million, and any spending above the limits can trigger fines equal to 100% of the excess and possible abuse-of-economic-power sanctions.
- The court said it acted after party requests because the Fundo Especial de Financiamento de Campanha was not updated and the fixed ceilings will shape fundraising, strategy and the real buying power of campaign resources if inflation has reduced their value.