Brazilians Lose Faith in Their Supreme Court and Congress, Deepening a Crisis of Trust

A new Datafolha poll from July 2025 reveals a sharp drop in public trust in Brazil’s two main institutions: Congress and the Supreme Court.

This distrust is not just a passing mood. According to the survey of more than 2,000 Brazilians, only 18% believe Congress does a good job, while 35% say its performance is poor or very poor.

Most Brazilians—78%—think politicians mainly look after themselves, not ordinary people. The Supreme Court does not fare much better. Thirty-six percent of Brazilians now say the Court is performing badly, compared to just 29% who approve.

Two out of three citizens believe the justices care more about their own interests than the public’s. This negative trend grew even steeper this year during high-profile political conflicts and after the Supreme Court placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest.

That move pleased his opponents but fueled even more distrust and anger among his supporters. These opinions cross political lines but hit hardest among supporters of Brazil’s right-wing parties.

Still, even those who back the current government feel let down. Recent political fights between Congress and President Lula, together with the Supreme Court’s active role in digital policy and headline legal decisions, have inflamed public frustration.

Crisis of Trust in Brazil Threatens Democracy and Global Economic Ties

Many Brazilians see the government as focused on its own survival and privileges, instead of solving real-world problems like costs and security. This matters for everyone—not just in Brazil. Companies and investors need clear, stable rules to do business.

When trust in lawmakers and judges collapses, it becomes harder to pass new laws, attract investment, or fix long-term problems. Brazil plays a key role in global trade, so instability here affects jobs, markets, and supply chains abroad.

If Brazilians’ faith in political and legal institutions continues to slide, not only does their democracy suffer, but the risks for business and international partners also grow.

This poll signals an urgent wake-up call: for Brazil to move forward—for its people and its economy—it must rebuild basic trust in the rules and those who write and enforce them.